122 reviews
I came across this indie gem one day at my local Blockbuster. I looked at it and it seemed like it would be an o.k. way to kill two hours. There was really nothing else in the videostore, so I decided to rent it. Boy, am I glad I did. I really appreciated the movie and related to it, after all I do go to a Catholic High School. 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is actually a great coming-of-age tale set in the Catholic school setting of the 1970s. Just by reading the title I thought it was about pedophile Catholic priests or something, but it's really about two friends who are the altar boys at their church/school and their adventures as they discover what's life is all about... or their interpretation of it.
The two boys in 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' are Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch - The Girl Next Door, The Emperor's Club) and Michael Sullivan (Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down, Home Alone). They are two fifteen year old rebels that have a passion for comics and writing and illustrating their own. They despise their tough-as-nails and strict one-legged Catholic nun school teacher, Sister Assumpta (played by Two Time Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster - The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs). The two boys make themselves their own creative superheroes in their comic and have Sister Assumpta be the evil motorcycle peddling nun from hell that the two superheroes battle, along with the boys' other two friends who provide superheroes for their comic too. The film switches from real-life to the creative comic book setting during conflicts in the story, and I think that it's done very stylish and neat. The two boys rebel against their teacher and misbehave in front of her constantly, especially Michael (Culkin) who drives her absolutely nuts. The boys rebel by doing other things that the nun doesn't know about like, drink, smoke pot and steal and damage church property. The film contains some funny moments, and as the story unfolds Francis (Hirsch) becomes interested in the girl who lives next door to him Margie (Jena Malone - Saved!, Cold Mountain), a cool, nice, beautiful and independent girl with a deep and dark secret that challenges Francis. I won't give it away though.
There are many great aspects to this film. Most notably is the acting. Emile Hirsch is nothing short of incredible as the genuine misfit Francis and Jena Malone is equally as good as the sweet yet complex Margie. Jodie Foster is hysterical and always a pleasure to watch as the uptight Catholic school nun and 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent's' Vincent D'Onofrio has a somewhat small role as an interesting Catholic school priest who smokes like a chimney. The stand-out of the film however is Kieran Culkin. He is definitely the most talented performer in his family, and he gives an astounding performance as Michael Sullivan that puts him on the top of the list of the best child actors working in Hollywood currently. Culkin gave an equally amazing performance in Burr Steer's neurotic and darkly hilarious film debut 'Igby Goes Down' which was released the same year as 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Peter Care does a fabulous job with this, his feature film debut, and the valley's Todd MacFarlane (creator of Spawn) provides the comic book illustration for the animated scenes.
All in all this is a great coming-of-age movie, with a lot of heart and intelligence. It has some flaws like dragging a little towards the beginning, being a little unclear towards the end and having some freaky and unnecessary ghost sequence towards the middle of the film. I'd recommend this to anyone who attends Catholic High School because it is a great movie but it's also something you could relate to. Next time you are at the videostore and can't find anything to watch, maybe pick up 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Chances are you won't regret it. Grade: B+
MADE MY TOP 300 LIST AT #245
The two boys in 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' are Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch - The Girl Next Door, The Emperor's Club) and Michael Sullivan (Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down, Home Alone). They are two fifteen year old rebels that have a passion for comics and writing and illustrating their own. They despise their tough-as-nails and strict one-legged Catholic nun school teacher, Sister Assumpta (played by Two Time Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster - The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs). The two boys make themselves their own creative superheroes in their comic and have Sister Assumpta be the evil motorcycle peddling nun from hell that the two superheroes battle, along with the boys' other two friends who provide superheroes for their comic too. The film switches from real-life to the creative comic book setting during conflicts in the story, and I think that it's done very stylish and neat. The two boys rebel against their teacher and misbehave in front of her constantly, especially Michael (Culkin) who drives her absolutely nuts. The boys rebel by doing other things that the nun doesn't know about like, drink, smoke pot and steal and damage church property. The film contains some funny moments, and as the story unfolds Francis (Hirsch) becomes interested in the girl who lives next door to him Margie (Jena Malone - Saved!, Cold Mountain), a cool, nice, beautiful and independent girl with a deep and dark secret that challenges Francis. I won't give it away though.
There are many great aspects to this film. Most notably is the acting. Emile Hirsch is nothing short of incredible as the genuine misfit Francis and Jena Malone is equally as good as the sweet yet complex Margie. Jodie Foster is hysterical and always a pleasure to watch as the uptight Catholic school nun and 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent's' Vincent D'Onofrio has a somewhat small role as an interesting Catholic school priest who smokes like a chimney. The stand-out of the film however is Kieran Culkin. He is definitely the most talented performer in his family, and he gives an astounding performance as Michael Sullivan that puts him on the top of the list of the best child actors working in Hollywood currently. Culkin gave an equally amazing performance in Burr Steer's neurotic and darkly hilarious film debut 'Igby Goes Down' which was released the same year as 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Peter Care does a fabulous job with this, his feature film debut, and the valley's Todd MacFarlane (creator of Spawn) provides the comic book illustration for the animated scenes.
All in all this is a great coming-of-age movie, with a lot of heart and intelligence. It has some flaws like dragging a little towards the beginning, being a little unclear towards the end and having some freaky and unnecessary ghost sequence towards the middle of the film. I'd recommend this to anyone who attends Catholic High School because it is a great movie but it's also something you could relate to. Next time you are at the videostore and can't find anything to watch, maybe pick up 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Chances are you won't regret it. Grade: B+
MADE MY TOP 300 LIST AT #245
- MichaelMargetis
- Apr 28, 2005
- Permalink
- vertigo_14
- Aug 3, 2004
- Permalink
"The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is one of the best books I've read in awhile, so I was pretty stoked to see how it translated to film. The good news is, this coming-of-age tale (revolving around the themes of first love and adolescent mischief) remains faithful to its source, while expanding (successfully, I think) upon what was written in the book. This worked very well in Terry Zwigoff's "Ghost World," but there are times in "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" where the tone threatens to go from comedy-drama, to flat-out drama, to flat-out comedy. It always manages to regain its balance, though. The story revolves around Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch) and Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin, who's very good), altar boys with a comic-book fixation and a resentment of authority (represented here by Jodie Foster's peg-legged Mother Superior); also on hand is Francis' love interest, Margie (Jena Malone), who reveals herself to be a complicated, tragic figure.
As far as revisiting adolescence is concerned, "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is accurate, funny, and even sad. However, it suffers from an over-emphasis on close-ups during key dramatic scenes, and the lead performance of Emile Hirsch is surprisingly weak (when he emotes, it looks exaggerated and fake). Overall, though, this is pretty good. 3.5 stars out of 5.
As far as revisiting adolescence is concerned, "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is accurate, funny, and even sad. However, it suffers from an over-emphasis on close-ups during key dramatic scenes, and the lead performance of Emile Hirsch is surprisingly weak (when he emotes, it looks exaggerated and fake). Overall, though, this is pretty good. 3.5 stars out of 5.
- Jonny_Numb
- Jan 14, 2003
- Permalink
Group of Catholic schoolboys in the mid-1970s are obsessed with comic books, girls, and wreaking havoc on their most hated teacher, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster, in a nun's habit, somewhat uneasily cast but still quite good). A surprisingly rich, rewarding film about adolescence puts other, more popular films in this genre to shame. The scruffy, nostalgic era is captured nicely, and the young players really shine. Spiked with wonderful animated sequences, the film failed to catch on with its target audience yet is otherwise intelligently crafted and often very moving. Foster also served as co-producer. *** from ****
- moonspinner55
- Sep 12, 2003
- Permalink
THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS (2002) *** Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Richards, Tyler Long. Funny and poignant coming of age story centering on two Catholic school adolescents (Culkin and Hirsch both superb) whose penchant for juvenile acts of defiance is only underscored by their innate desire to fit in and be loved while pitted against their arch nemesis, their teacher Sister Assumpta (a dourly cheeky Foster, who also produced the project), a one-legged harridan from Hell. Based on the novel by Chris Fuhrman and written by Jeff Stockwell and Michael Petroni, the film's strengths in storytelling are in its dynamic duo of troublemaking loners and are punched up with a wise peppering of Todd McFarlane's vivid animation depicting the boys' creative flairs as a Greek chorus to the plotline at hand. (Dir: Peter Care)
- george.schmidt
- Jun 16, 2002
- Permalink
"Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is very similar to "Stand By Me," with the nice addition of a non-stereotyped girl and a stereotyped nun (played by producer Jodie Foster) in the mix. Young love is shown the sweetest I've seen in a long time (oy, I'm still apologizing to a certain boy in my head when he was so sweet to me at that age and I didn't know how to handle it; oh well, I didn't have a script based on a book to follow.) Emile Hirsch and Jena Malone are marvelous, especially with the very serious sides of their lives, though the lousy parenting is only vaguely shown with shouting. While the gambits of their crew are a bit unbelievable as they try to put fantasy into their real lives, their fantasy comic life through Todd McFarlane animation is a lot of fun (I was a fan of McFarlane's HBO series "Spawn.") I've never seen a super-hero with such sensitive eyes! (originally written 6/23/2002)
I'm not going to write a whole lot about this movie. I liked it OK. There was really nothing in the movie that I hadn't seen before in better movies, but it's still a pretty good movie. Kieran Culkin and Emile Hirsch gave winning performances, and Jena Malone was wonderful. I guess my main problem with the movie is that it didn't really have a point. Maybe I'm getting old, but just because you are 14 and are in an oppressive environment doesn't give you the right to do absolutely anything you want. I would've been OK with the movie if we could've seen more of the good side of the kids and less of the bad. I know, I'm getting old... All that said, I was glad that I watched the movie - it did make me think, and I did become involved with the characters. I guess that's more than what you usually get.
- mgchainsaw
- Jan 10, 2005
- Permalink
The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys is kind of like a cross between The Virgin Suicides and Stand By Me. Set in the 70's (featuring many cool 70's haircuts) in small town Georgia, the story focuses on Francis, a 14-year-old dreamer and troublemaker. He and his pals, Tim, Wade, and Joey cope with life under the oppressive rule of one-legged nun Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster) at the Puritan Christian high school they're unfortunate enough to attend.
One of their methods of escape is the 'The Atomic Trinity' comic book. Each of them have their own character with superpowers (such as The Muscle, Captain Asskicker and Skeleton Boy), battling against the tyrannical regime of Nunzilla/Pegleg (a gross caricature of Sister Assumpta). These fantasy stories make up the terrific animated sequences of the film. The cool thing is that they are not so totally removed from the reality of Francis, Tim, Wade and Joey.
The boys soon find their way into a lot of trouble though. After stealing the school's nun statue mascot the quartet plan to steal a cougar from the zoo and put in Sister Assumpta's office. A mad plan yes, but their determination and invention behind it is very clever.
Some scenes of the film are very emotional, so if you have soft spot you'll find it tough to get through the scene where Tim finds a dying dog by the side of the road or Francis reading a poem at the funeral.
Francis' relationship with Margie (the very cute Jenna Malone) also takes many curious and unique turns. The scene with the ghost watching them sleep was pleasingly weird.
Taken from the one and only book (posthumously) by Chris Fuhrman (a book I must get as soon as I see), The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys is attractively shot, wonderfully acted and definitely worth getting.
The DVD is in 1.85:1 widescreen (strangely non-anamorphic, though the region 2 version is) with Dolby 5.1 sound and a mild bunch of extras.
One of their methods of escape is the 'The Atomic Trinity' comic book. Each of them have their own character with superpowers (such as The Muscle, Captain Asskicker and Skeleton Boy), battling against the tyrannical regime of Nunzilla/Pegleg (a gross caricature of Sister Assumpta). These fantasy stories make up the terrific animated sequences of the film. The cool thing is that they are not so totally removed from the reality of Francis, Tim, Wade and Joey.
The boys soon find their way into a lot of trouble though. After stealing the school's nun statue mascot the quartet plan to steal a cougar from the zoo and put in Sister Assumpta's office. A mad plan yes, but their determination and invention behind it is very clever.
Some scenes of the film are very emotional, so if you have soft spot you'll find it tough to get through the scene where Tim finds a dying dog by the side of the road or Francis reading a poem at the funeral.
Francis' relationship with Margie (the very cute Jenna Malone) also takes many curious and unique turns. The scene with the ghost watching them sleep was pleasingly weird.
Taken from the one and only book (posthumously) by Chris Fuhrman (a book I must get as soon as I see), The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys is attractively shot, wonderfully acted and definitely worth getting.
The DVD is in 1.85:1 widescreen (strangely non-anamorphic, though the region 2 version is) with Dolby 5.1 sound and a mild bunch of extras.
- CuriosityKilledShawn
- Jul 17, 2004
- Permalink
I had read the book soon after it came out in '94 and was pleased to see that it was being made into a movie. I was less pleased when I actually saw the movie.
There are many examples I could give, but I'll stick with the most basic. For one, the feel of the school was all wrong. While the book perfectly captured the culture of rebellious teenagers resisting authority in an old-school Catholic environment, the movie didn't even come close. One gets the impression that the filmmakers had no personal experience in that environment and copied ideas they'd seen in other movies.
Suprisingly, another big problem was Jodie Foster. While she is one of the best actors of her generation, she is woefully miscast as the evil nun. (I know evil nuns. I attended classes taught by evil nuns. Jodie Foster is no evil nun.)
The various subplots and student subgroups were mishandled or missing completely. The book showed the main characters interacting with other students and contained a potent racial subplot relevant to the time period. The movie left every character flat and unconvincing. Even a surprising revelation by a main character and the dramatic conclusion were played simply for shallow shock value.
Overall, it was a disappointing film. And my negative appraisal is not simply because the book was better (as is often the case). A good friend who also attended Catholic school saw the movie and found it to be untrue to its setting and even exploitive. It's just not very good on its own merits.
There are many examples I could give, but I'll stick with the most basic. For one, the feel of the school was all wrong. While the book perfectly captured the culture of rebellious teenagers resisting authority in an old-school Catholic environment, the movie didn't even come close. One gets the impression that the filmmakers had no personal experience in that environment and copied ideas they'd seen in other movies.
Suprisingly, another big problem was Jodie Foster. While she is one of the best actors of her generation, she is woefully miscast as the evil nun. (I know evil nuns. I attended classes taught by evil nuns. Jodie Foster is no evil nun.)
The various subplots and student subgroups were mishandled or missing completely. The book showed the main characters interacting with other students and contained a potent racial subplot relevant to the time period. The movie left every character flat and unconvincing. Even a surprising revelation by a main character and the dramatic conclusion were played simply for shallow shock value.
Overall, it was a disappointing film. And my negative appraisal is not simply because the book was better (as is often the case). A good friend who also attended Catholic school saw the movie and found it to be untrue to its setting and even exploitive. It's just not very good on its own merits.
- claudio_carvalho
- Sep 18, 2005
- Permalink
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is one of those coming of age movies they don't make these days anymore - the story starts with a band of boys having fun and adventures, first love emerges, and in the end some tragic and dramatic turns shade the easy days of our young heroes. This fine movie reminds me of Bridge to Terabithia (starring young Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb) or Stand by Me (1986). Detached from today's politics and agendas, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is a very funny, entertaining and touching movie. It's also fun to see Jena Melon, Kieran Culkin and the others in their young days. Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio are also rock solid as Sister and Father of the Catholic school, the young no-goods attend. Anyway, this one is a fine piece, and if you don't know it yet, put it on your to watch list - if you have any taste for such kind of movies. Exact rate: 7.5.
- Tweetienator
- Mar 19, 2023
- Permalink
I had just seen a bunch of the summer "blockbusters" and feeling a bit ripped off when I decided to check out this "little" film and was so surprised. It is wonderfully made and the acting by the mostly young cast is excellent - with majestic work by Hirsch, Culkin and Malone. The film has so many wonderful, real moments of those awful teenage years where you are trying to figure out who you are and what is important to you. Powerful, strong adaptation of a good novel - my only complaint is with Jodie Foster. She's a terrific actress but I just felt she was miscast. I know it's her name and production company that gotthis film made, so good for her - but she really didn't seem to understand the character, so she was just "acting" as opposed to what she usually does - which is totally inhabit her characters and make them three-dimensional people - I just think a Louise Fletcher or Ellen Burstyn would have made a much more powerful figure as the boys' nemesis. Jodie's nun never seemed that mean or cruel or threatening (And I'm not talking about making her into a one note crazy, hitting nun either). But, as I said, Foster got the movie made and this is a simple, sweet, tragic film about growing up. Well worth seeing.
Well now we have a film that tends to capture some of the child's mind qualities of "stand by me" mixed creatively with some creative cinematic and an interesting plot line.
The story follows four friends going to a catholic school and getting together causing trouble drawing comics and otherwise being boys. The main story starts when Jenna Malone's character comes in and turns some of the relationships on their heads. There is a lot to be said about the dynamics of growing up and coming to terms with life.
This story is quite dark and goes through a different line than many movies of it's type and therefore is not quite as viewer friendly as stand by me. The ending may also be debatable but I will let you as the viewer decide.
The story cuts into animated scenes to illustrate the imagination of the main character and does a fair job conveying the emotions and relationships throughout the plot. These scenes are of course brought to you by Todd McFarlane himself and again isn't exactly child friendly.
In the end this is a movie for adults but does a good job moving the message it goes about trying to convey. It is creative and draws you in. The plot is a bit dark and it does have some issues that may not sit with many viewers. All in all I believe this is a good film.
The story follows four friends going to a catholic school and getting together causing trouble drawing comics and otherwise being boys. The main story starts when Jenna Malone's character comes in and turns some of the relationships on their heads. There is a lot to be said about the dynamics of growing up and coming to terms with life.
This story is quite dark and goes through a different line than many movies of it's type and therefore is not quite as viewer friendly as stand by me. The ending may also be debatable but I will let you as the viewer decide.
The story cuts into animated scenes to illustrate the imagination of the main character and does a fair job conveying the emotions and relationships throughout the plot. These scenes are of course brought to you by Todd McFarlane himself and again isn't exactly child friendly.
In the end this is a movie for adults but does a good job moving the message it goes about trying to convey. It is creative and draws you in. The plot is a bit dark and it does have some issues that may not sit with many viewers. All in all I believe this is a good film.
- rosscinema
- Apr 9, 2004
- Permalink
`The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is NOT, as you might expect, a film about predatory priests, but rather a slice-of-life tale about four malcontent Catholic schoolboys who spend most of their free time devising preposterously elaborate and life-threatening practical jokes to play on the faculty members of their school.
As a coming-of-age drama, the film is fairly conventional in its plotting - i.e. young boys, in their rebellion against the uncomprehending adult world, experiment with drugs, first love, sex and general rule breaking - although there is a tricky and touchy incest-related subplot that is handled with a certain amount of delicacy and sensitivity. The highlight of the movie is the outstanding performances delivered by youngsters Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin and Jena Malone, whom you might remember as the young Jodie Foster in `Contact.' In fact, Foster herself appears in this film (in addition to co-producing it) as the uptight nun, Sister Assumpta. Unfortunately, her character is probably the least well developed one in the film, a fact that seems more obvious than it otherwise might if an actress of Foster's caliber were not playing the part.
The film also displays a nice feeling for its early-70's setting and does a good job capturing the way young people actually speak and communicate (the cast members have their nonverbal expressions and gestures down beautifully as well). Working from the novel by Chris Fuhrman, screenwriters Jeff Stockwell and Michael Petroni, along with director Peter Care, interrupt the live action at regular intervals to provide animated sequences that are ostensibly derived from the anarchic superhero comic book on which the gifted boys are collaborating. We know that these sequences are intended to provide a kind of fantasy alternate universe for these troubled kids who seem to find no meaning in the restricted world of religion and rules in which they find themselves, but the fact is that these sections of the film, not very creative in themselves, merely serve to thrust us out of the story at crucial moments.
`The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is an odd and somewhat misleading title for this film, since most of the `danger' these boys face is, primarily, a product of their own stupidity and not of their religious upbringing. Indeed, the religious figures in the film are mainly cranky and/or ineffectual, not really dangerous. `The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is an uneven film, but the superb performances by its youthful cast members make it ultimately worth seeing.
As a coming-of-age drama, the film is fairly conventional in its plotting - i.e. young boys, in their rebellion against the uncomprehending adult world, experiment with drugs, first love, sex and general rule breaking - although there is a tricky and touchy incest-related subplot that is handled with a certain amount of delicacy and sensitivity. The highlight of the movie is the outstanding performances delivered by youngsters Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin and Jena Malone, whom you might remember as the young Jodie Foster in `Contact.' In fact, Foster herself appears in this film (in addition to co-producing it) as the uptight nun, Sister Assumpta. Unfortunately, her character is probably the least well developed one in the film, a fact that seems more obvious than it otherwise might if an actress of Foster's caliber were not playing the part.
The film also displays a nice feeling for its early-70's setting and does a good job capturing the way young people actually speak and communicate (the cast members have their nonverbal expressions and gestures down beautifully as well). Working from the novel by Chris Fuhrman, screenwriters Jeff Stockwell and Michael Petroni, along with director Peter Care, interrupt the live action at regular intervals to provide animated sequences that are ostensibly derived from the anarchic superhero comic book on which the gifted boys are collaborating. We know that these sequences are intended to provide a kind of fantasy alternate universe for these troubled kids who seem to find no meaning in the restricted world of religion and rules in which they find themselves, but the fact is that these sections of the film, not very creative in themselves, merely serve to thrust us out of the story at crucial moments.
`The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is an odd and somewhat misleading title for this film, since most of the `danger' these boys face is, primarily, a product of their own stupidity and not of their religious upbringing. Indeed, the religious figures in the film are mainly cranky and/or ineffectual, not really dangerous. `The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is an uneven film, but the superb performances by its youthful cast members make it ultimately worth seeing.
This film, set in the religious environment many adults grew up with tells the story of four boys, who's personal lives become intertwined with their fertile imaginations. Immitating many boys their age, they deal with personal problems and set about to enliven their dull existence with pranks. They are common enough, until they run headlong into Jodi Foster who plays their main teacher and a Catholic Nun. Their stunt of stealing the statue of the school's namesake progresses to stealing a mountain lion, which in turn initiates death. With the added concepts of visual art in comic form, the film delivers a plausible entertainment. However, the search for the reason why this film earn an "R" rating proves illusive.
- thinker1691
- Dec 15, 2004
- Permalink
It's the 70's. Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch) and Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin) are best friends and altar boys at a Catholic school run by Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster) and Father Casey (Vincent D'Onofrio). The kids are comic book fans and they have created comic book superheroes of themselves in their lives. Francis has a romance with troubled Margie Flynn (Jena Malone).
I try to find a way to love these characters but each one pushes back at me in their own ways. Francis is too passive. Tim is a psycho. The two others are blanks. I don't know what to do with Margie. Jena Malone plays it like a victim at which she is very good but we are continuously told that she is not the victim. It's a very complicated character which is relegated to being a side character. Jodie Foster is interesting but she needs a better final scene with Francis. Each character is a challenge to find a connection. Like the comic book animated connective scenes, the movie suggests real characters but there is the hyper-characterization which disconnects me from these roles.
I try to find a way to love these characters but each one pushes back at me in their own ways. Francis is too passive. Tim is a psycho. The two others are blanks. I don't know what to do with Margie. Jena Malone plays it like a victim at which she is very good but we are continuously told that she is not the victim. It's a very complicated character which is relegated to being a side character. Jodie Foster is interesting but she needs a better final scene with Francis. Each character is a challenge to find a connection. Like the comic book animated connective scenes, the movie suggests real characters but there is the hyper-characterization which disconnects me from these roles.
- SnoopyStyle
- Mar 11, 2021
- Permalink
THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS is the latest in a long tradition of coming-of-age stories, and a pretty good one at that. It sticks true to the formula, but pushes the envelope at the same time.
What's unique about this film is that it forces its audience to grow with the main character, Francis Doyle. At the beginning of the film, Francis lives in a pretty carefree world of going to Catholic school and hanging out with his friends, and that is the world that the audience lives in for the first 20 minutes or so. It looks like kid stuff, but don't be fooled--there's some real darkness and depth just around the corner. Francis discovers about life, death, love, and pain, and all these revelations surprise the audience just as much as they surprise Francis.
Live action in the movie is interposed with the comic book adventures of Brakken and the Muscle, the superheroes who are Francis and his friend Tim's alter egos. It's a wonderful addition, adding a physical journey to Francis's confusing emotional journey.
All in all, a very competent film, made more so by wonderful performances from Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, and Emile Hirsch.
What's unique about this film is that it forces its audience to grow with the main character, Francis Doyle. At the beginning of the film, Francis lives in a pretty carefree world of going to Catholic school and hanging out with his friends, and that is the world that the audience lives in for the first 20 minutes or so. It looks like kid stuff, but don't be fooled--there's some real darkness and depth just around the corner. Francis discovers about life, death, love, and pain, and all these revelations surprise the audience just as much as they surprise Francis.
Live action in the movie is interposed with the comic book adventures of Brakken and the Muscle, the superheroes who are Francis and his friend Tim's alter egos. It's a wonderful addition, adding a physical journey to Francis's confusing emotional journey.
All in all, a very competent film, made more so by wonderful performances from Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, and Emile Hirsch.
- ndrwdyng71
- Jul 18, 2003
- Permalink
This is a must see!
Everyone in the cast pulled this movie off excellently. Acting was great by everyone, which made the movie all the more absorbing and real.
It is a funny movie, but is definitely serious when it needs to be. It's sort of what you'd call dark humor. I love how they put the cartoon bits in at exactly the right time and still let the movie run smoothly.
It's a very tragic portrayal of 4 young boys', but mostly focusing on Francis and Tim, journey in growing up, and learning some of life's hard lessons.
If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend reading the book. The book is just as great, but much different at parts.
All in all...I loved this movie. 9/10
Everyone in the cast pulled this movie off excellently. Acting was great by everyone, which made the movie all the more absorbing and real.
It is a funny movie, but is definitely serious when it needs to be. It's sort of what you'd call dark humor. I love how they put the cartoon bits in at exactly the right time and still let the movie run smoothly.
It's a very tragic portrayal of 4 young boys', but mostly focusing on Francis and Tim, journey in growing up, and learning some of life's hard lessons.
If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend reading the book. The book is just as great, but much different at parts.
All in all...I loved this movie. 9/10
- SamoanAttorney
- Apr 16, 2004
- Permalink
This movie has a compelling direction with terrific acting but, in the end, there are a lot of blind alleys in the plot. The director was at the screening I saw and let it drop that it had been through at least one screenwriter change. That may account for the unfinished feel of the story.
If you go thinking you are going to see "Little Man Tate" (a gentle, early Jodi Foster attached project) you will probably walk out of the theater. Several people did at the screening I saw. However, if you go to the theater remembering early Jodi Foster ("The Little Girl Who Lived Down The Lane" or "Taxi Driver") you will enjoy the experience. No, Ms. Foster does not have a large part but the young stars are all up and comers who play the rolls she did at the same age.
Much is made of the animation and it is a highlight. It is not a stunt and advances the movie very well.
Overall a mixed bag, great film-making, less than great story-telling; . . . but worth your time
If you go thinking you are going to see "Little Man Tate" (a gentle, early Jodi Foster attached project) you will probably walk out of the theater. Several people did at the screening I saw. However, if you go to the theater remembering early Jodi Foster ("The Little Girl Who Lived Down The Lane" or "Taxi Driver") you will enjoy the experience. No, Ms. Foster does not have a large part but the young stars are all up and comers who play the rolls she did at the same age.
Much is made of the animation and it is a highlight. It is not a stunt and advances the movie very well.
Overall a mixed bag, great film-making, less than great story-telling; . . . but worth your time
I watched the movie and I must say it's a little strange one! You don't expect how things happen and end. I would say: See for yourself! Also I noticed the cast (Jena Malone) looked much younger then they are, I thought the movie was made a few years ago because Jena Malone did look much younger then 18 years.
- nickvervoort
- May 25, 2002
- Permalink
I first encountered this film on a foreign TV channel and on an unknown language. However, i was attracted to the TV screen like a bee to honey. I can't really say why, but the film was just very, well, attracting. It has sort of a gloomy atmosphere, and the scenes which changed in front of my eyes were understandable even in a foreign language. It could be because i can relate with the story and the feelings that the boys are going through, but i believe that the reason is that it's just a terrific film. Of course IMDb helped me find the film :) and today it's one of my favorites films. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good film, but is ready to see some real life on the screen. The story isn't sweet, nor particularly happy, but it's real and emotional.
I remember seeing a preview for this movie and for some reason really wanting to see it. I'm not exactly sure why. Though it does have Jodie Foster who I like and I'm also partial to coming of age stories. I think it was literally only in Santa Barbara for one week and I wasn't able make it. So when it was release on DVD, I picked it up and I'm glad I did. Jodie Foster is good as always, but hers is really a minor role in this story that is centered around Emile Hirsh's character, Francis. The movie deals with his first Love, Margie Flynn played well by Jena Malone, who has some deeper issues that your typical teenage girl. And his partner in crime Tim, played by Kieran Culkin who is always planning some way to get into trouble. This story basically deals with your standard typical teen issues, but they are taken to the limits and things that your average teen probably doesn't have to consider. One of this movies big strengths is that the live action is interlaced with animated sequences by Todd McFarlane, who's arguably the best. Francis is an artist who fantasizes about becoming a comic book artist. The boys have created their own characters and these characters are brought to life in their thoughts and they are shown in the movie in the animated scenes. The mix of live action and animation blend together really well and are appropriately timed so that the film flows very well. I'm not sure if this film will appeal to everyone as much as it did to me, but it is a good quality story nonetheless.
Rank: #9 in 2002
*** (Out of 4)
Rank: #9 in 2002
*** (Out of 4)
I sat down unsure of what the movie was going to offer. My best guess was a coming-of-age film. It clearly had Catholic elements as well, though I wasn't sure if that was just a backdrop.
After watching it, I still wasn't sure. The movie tries to be light-hearted, but is too angry and cruel. The Catholic elements tend to weigh a bit against the religion but even there the movie vacillates. The movie doesn't try to stay out of the argument, mind you, it just seems very confused as to what it thinks.
The animated sequences, meant to illustrate the lead character's emotional thinking, are the best element of the film. And even they aren't terribly well done. They don't give much extra insight into his mind, nor do they progress the main movie.
I generally try to find a way to recommend a movie, even if it's a qualified recommendation. Most films have entertaining qualities that some can enjoy. And some have clearly enjoyed this one.
If you like comics, there are a few nice references to existing titles plus the characters created by the boys (and featured in the animated sequences). Or, if you are a Jodi Foster fan, she turns in a decent performance as the nun.
Overall, however, I'd just avoid this one.
4 out of 10.
After watching it, I still wasn't sure. The movie tries to be light-hearted, but is too angry and cruel. The Catholic elements tend to weigh a bit against the religion but even there the movie vacillates. The movie doesn't try to stay out of the argument, mind you, it just seems very confused as to what it thinks.
The animated sequences, meant to illustrate the lead character's emotional thinking, are the best element of the film. And even they aren't terribly well done. They don't give much extra insight into his mind, nor do they progress the main movie.
I generally try to find a way to recommend a movie, even if it's a qualified recommendation. Most films have entertaining qualities that some can enjoy. And some have clearly enjoyed this one.
If you like comics, there are a few nice references to existing titles plus the characters created by the boys (and featured in the animated sequences). Or, if you are a Jodi Foster fan, she turns in a decent performance as the nun.
Overall, however, I'd just avoid this one.
4 out of 10.