The Boys

I have to speak up for this film. It is a small scale masterpiece. But it is a very tough ride indeed. I think it is brilliantly directed and acted. The story, based on real events, is a very important one, and the film digs wise and deep into it. This is a real, unsentimental and profound exploration into the causes of violence and social breakdown, whilst being a knockout piece of visceral cinema.

At the heart of it is the kind of situation you've often seen in Hollywood movies - the bullying ex-con brother returns home after a bruising stretch inside and picks up where he left off in terms of terrorising his family. Wenham is astonishing in a terrific ensemble cast. There is no scene where he breaks down and shares his woes, and yet his actions speak volumes about the terrible wounds he is obviously suffering from underneath the armour-plated exterior. I don't think the character does a single kind thing in the entire movie, but my God you go with him all the way and come out the other side all the wiser about human nature.

All this may make it sound a bit worthy. It's certainly not for those out for any kind of cosy entertainment. This is more for those who like some serious drama to get their teeth into.

Perhaps if you liked '21 Gramms' - that kind of heavy-weight experience of people on the edge and threatening any minute to go over it - it might be your kind of thing; maybe Mike Leigh's 'Naked' (though I found that much bleaker!) perhaps David Lynch (though it's very much set in the waking world); certainly as a fascinating, humour-free companion piece to 'Chopper'...

I loved it. I come back to it periodically, but only when I know I'm in a strong state! It gets better each time.

I see it's not available here right now, but when it is, snap it up, or if you get a chance to see it before then (and it may be some time til it returns to DVD), don't miss this must.

I'm usually really patient and watch films through to the end, but i turned off half way through as it was so slow and dull.

Whilst this film won't sit comfortably with most people, it offers a slice of Australian life not often seen (and I think it's based on real-life events although don't quote me on that!) Set in Sydney's Western suburbs in the late-90's, it follows the story of a family - a mother and her 3 grown sons - torn apart by their violent past and in unnerving glimpses - their violent future. Taking place on the day son Brett (David Wenham) gets out of jail, the grainy voyeuristic look and displaced camera angles reflect the disjointed mood of the film.

However, this Aussie offering might be more interesting to film fans because the cast is made up of the cream of Australian talent before they got discovered by Tinseltown, including Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, About A Boy), David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) who also acted as Associate Producer on the film, and John Polson (Mission Impossible II).

Critically acclaimed but little known, if you are a fan of Australian cinema don't miss this.