Boy (2009)

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I just watched this video. I thought it was going to be a lousy Filiipino movie with a terrible story line and terrible video production quality. Boy was I surprised. The lighting of the movie had a bit to be desired, but there was good work done on making the story flow. I rate this an 8 mostly because of some of the quality of the film (lighting and sound), but it deserves a 10 for the story line. I was so happy to see a treatment of a topic that is usually taboo in so many places, but seems to be an accepted fact in the Philippines -- macho dancers are not necessarily a bad profession. I thought it was going to be a mama's boy, but he's not -- especially the way he and his mother interact in the final scene. Too bad they didn't put that much effort into that closeness earlier in the movie. The two boys were evenly matched for attractiveness, fitting the roles perfectly. I thought Aries was too rough of a boy to be a good dancer, but he fit well. And "boy" was suited the role. The fish tanks was a weird part of the story. I'm sure someone must have had a lot of creative thinking to meld fish tanks with comic books and action figures for the boy. Great job by all, cast and crew.

Regardless of its faults, I'm rating this movie at the top wherever I can. It's not a coming-out film; it's an affirmation film. It's not about an abyss; it's a joyful release. It's one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. What you get in an hour-and-a-half is a lovely cast playing likable characters, heart-opening music, unusual settings, poetry, fish, food, fireworks.You get lives. Sure, there are faults here. The acting seems unrehearsed at times. We don't get much depth on the background of the characters. So this is a slice-of-life, an observation, a short love story, and you, viewer, get to fill in the blanks, because the film is not going to tell you. The sex is honest and tasteful and truly breathtaking. "Boy" is exactly what queer cinema needs sometimes: an unconventional, cleansing experience of awakening and renewal. Happy New Year, indeed.