Butcher Boy (1997)
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AKA: –
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Starring: Eamonn Owens (Francie Brady), Alan Boyle (Joe), Stephen Rea (Father/Older Francie), Fiona Shaw (Mrs. Nugent), Andrew Fullerton (Phillip), Sinead O’Connor (Virgin Mary), Aisling O’Sullivan (Mother), Brendan Gleeson (Father Bubbles)
Country: Ireland; Effed Up British-Irish Cinema
Language: English (English Subs)
Runtime: 01:50:13
Genres: Misery-Depressing-Mental Illness, Childhood
Plot – Spoilers:
In a small ’60s Irish town, 12-year-old Francie’s father is a could-have-been musician, now a drunk, and mother is mentally unwell, often contemplating suicide. But Francie’s got his best mate Joe. And with time on their side, childhood seems an endless excursion in stealing apples and fanciful games.
Then mother kills herself, the world of lies that have been built for Francie collapses, and a hostile neighborhood lady and her geeky son become Francie’s singular obsession that sends him down a spiral while he outwardly presents an eerie cheerfulness.
father ted the movie
I thoroughly enjoyed that. Depressed the hell out of me, though.
Ireland is so stunningly beautiful i tend to get lost to the background instead of whats going on in the film, so sick of living in an asphalt jungle
the most irish thing you could ever imagine
honestly i dont know
A brilliant film! Very Irish. You can tell it was developed from a novel. I love the gallows humor. To think this guy made The Crying Game, The Good Thief and Byzantium among others – I’d have to say this is his best. Tragic, dark and fucking funny.
A story about serious mental illness and borderline personality disorder expressed in a somewhat comedic way. Well made, well acted, purposely annoying at times and ultimately sad. My favorite scenes (too few of them) were when Francie was getting his ass kicked. The production is great. 4 stars. Maybe even 4 and a half.
Although I was interested the whole movie, strangely, I don’t recommend it. The story, which is taken from a book, is great but I found the acting poor, specially the main character. But the most annoying thing is the language… it feels so forced and fake to a point it destroys any chance of engaging with the characters. Would be a great movie in the hands of other Director.
I watched this movie back in 1997 when I was 13 and I loved it 🙂 I even have the Francie Brady theme song by Elliot Goldenthal
Listen, you fucking creeps, and listen very carefully. Have a happy and safe new year!!!
Great film. The book is good too.
This was one of those films I enjoyed once but found hard-work after that. As I had not seen for a long time I thought I would give it a re-watch but in truth its a bit too thickly spread with tweeness for me. Solid acting by Owens though.
this is the movie where half way through the character reveals that he has a pigs trotter instead of a cock – boy george sings the theme dont u know a thing or 2 about the crying shames – great film but a bit transphobic these days