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IMDbPro

Boy

  • 20102010
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
26K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,149
1
Boy (2010)
Set on the east coast of New Zealand in the year 1984, Boy, an 11-year-old kid and devout Michael Jackson fan gets a chance to know his father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.
Play trailer2:21
4 Videos
43 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a ba... Read allBoy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
26K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,149
1
  • Director
    • Taika Waititi
  • Writer
    • Taika Waititi
  • Stars
    • James Rolleston
    • Te Aho Eketone-Whitu
    • Taika Waititi
Top credits
  • Director
    • Taika Waititi
  • Writer
    • Taika Waititi
  • Stars
    • James Rolleston
    • Te Aho Eketone-Whitu
    • Taika Waititi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 78User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos4

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:21
    U.S. Version
    A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi
    Clip 7:32
    A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi
    Taika Waititi - Do Your Own Thing
    Clip 2:31
    Taika Waititi - Do Your Own Thing
    Taika Look at the Waititi Way
    Clip 4:10
    Taika Look at the Waititi Way

    Photos43

    Taika Waititi, James Rolleston, and Te Aho Eketone-Whitu in Boy (2010)
    James Rolleston in Boy (2010)
    James Rolleston in Boy (2010)
    James Rolleston and Te Aho Eketone-Whitu in Boy (2010)
    Taika Waititi in Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    Boy (2010)
    James Rolleston and Te Aho Eketone-Whitu in Boy (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Rolleston
    James Rolleston
    • Boyas Boy
    Te Aho Eketone-Whitu
    • Rockyas Rocky
    Taika Waititi
    Taika Waititi
    • Alameinas Alamein
    Moerangi Tihore
    • Dynastyas Dynasty
    Cherilee Martin
    • Kellyas Kelly
    RickyLee Waipuka-Russell
    • Chardonnayas Chardonnay
    • (as Rickylee Waipuka-Russell)
    Haze Reweti
    • Dallasas Dallas
    Maakariini Butler
    • Murrayas Murray
    Rajvinder Eria
    • Taneas Tane
    Manihera Rangiuaia
    • Kingias Kingi
    Darcy Ray Flavell-Hudson
    • Holdenas Holden
    Rachel House
    Rachel House
    • Aunty Graceyas Aunty Gracey
    Waihoroi Shortland
    • Weirdoas Weirdo
    Cohen Holloway
    Cohen Holloway
    • Chuppaas Chuppa
    Pana Hema Taylor
    Pana Hema Taylor
    • Jujuas Juju
    Tuhoro Ranihera Christie
    • Mr. Nepiaas Mr. Nepia
    Craig Hall
    Craig Hall
    • Mr. Langstonas Mr. Langston
    Mavis Paenga
    • Nanas Nan
    • Director
      • Taika Waititi
    • Writer
      • Taika Waititi
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Content
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Taika Waititi was less than a week away from filming when he realised the boy he had as lead wasn't working out. Three days before filming began, James Rolleston, who was hanging around on set as an extra, was given the lead by Taika Waititi.
    • Goofs
      The Goodnight Kiwi that was shown on the TV during Shutdown was the incorrect version for the period. The film used the early 1990's version with the TV2 logo at the bottom at the end. In 1984, it should have ended with the message "Goodnight from Television New Zealand".
    • Quotes

      Mr. Langston: People call me a dumb honky all the time. I don't go round punching them.

      Boy: Why not?

      Mr. Langston: Because they're usually children.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits start with the names and roles of the three main actors and this is followed by a spoof of Michael Jackson's "Thriller", incorporating elements of the original dance (as seen on the music video) and Maori Hakas.
    • Connections
      Featured in Boy: Outtakes (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Hine e Hine
      (Traditional)

      Performed by The Phoenix Foundation

    User reviews78

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    delightful light-hearted sweetness
    Boy is a simple but emotionally powerful story about growing up, relationships, following your head over your heart and drawing the line between right and wrong. It's easily one of the best New Zealand films ever made. It's Rich characters and humorous dialogue, entailed by the occasional light-hearted hand drawn animations delivered a hugely entertaining blend of culture, comedy and drama.

    The story started on a perfect note with Boy played by James Rolleston giving his show and tell speech in the classroom. It introduced the character, his background and set the atmosphere, mood and setting all in one go without being a dull lead up. Taika Waititi (who also plays the dead beat father) did an amazing job in setting out each detailed scene with the occasional Michael Jackson tributes giving the film an even disperse of light-hearted laughs at the same time appropriately moving the plot along.

    The film gave a heart aching recount on every boy's natural instinct to worship their father, whether they deserve it or not. The growth and resilience of each character portrayed superbly by every single actor from the child stars to the minor adult characters was a pleasure to watch. It still brings a smile to my face today. Pure brilliance...

    http://musingsandmorsels.weebly.com/film.html
    helpful•23
    4
    • musings-morsels
    • Aug 16, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 2010 (New Zealand)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Maori
    • Also known as
      • BOY
    • Filming locations
      • Waihau Bay, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Whenua Films
      • Unison Films
      • New Zealand Film Production Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $256,211
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $21,244
      • Mar 4, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $43,551,154
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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