PeterMullan Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Movies about ex-convicts and their difficulty assimilating back into society generally begin with the prison release, during which the protagonist typically looks downright miserable. At first thought, I recall the opening of Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66, which ironically exaggerates the hopelessness of post-incarceration by adding a lack of a public restroom to the list of things the former jailbird is without. But at the beginning of John Crowley's new film, Boy A, the titular young man being turned back into the world is high-browed and smiling from ear to ear. And this change from the expected norm really drew me into the film immediately.

Perhaps the difference is that for most films about ex-cons, the hero doesn't have a very good chance at starting over. For "Boy A," however, there's a literal reinvention taking place. In the first scene, the young man (Andrew Garfield) sits with his caseworker, Terry (Peter Mullan), and discusses the details of his release, which include his receiving a new home, a new job and, most importantly, a new identity -- he chooses the name "Jack." Also, rather symbolically, Terry hands Jack a gift, a pair of sneakers that unintentionally represents the young man's ability to comfortably run away from his former life.

Cinematical has just received this exclusive clip from the film Boy A, which I managed to catch earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival. Truth be told, I really dug it -- the film follows this kid named Jack (played by up-and-comer Andrew Garfield) who's released from prison after spending several years behind bars for a crime he committed as a child. Determined to get back on track, Jack, with help from his counselor Terry (Peter Mullan), tries to start over again in a new town with a new name and a new life. But how long will it be before his previous life catches up to him, and will Jack ever manage to build a successful future for himself if his past won't leave him alone?

In the clip above, Jack and his work buddy are driving along on a road when something catches their eye. That something would eventually change the course of the film. Really solid movie from start to finish, and it's beautifully shot -- some of the best cinematography I've seen all year. Definitely seek this one out when it hits theaters on July 23. You won't be disappointed.

Cinematical has received this brand new poster for Boy A (click image to enlarge), a film I was lucky enough to catch at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Featuring terrific performances from Andrew Garfield (especially) and Peter Mullan, Boy A tells the story of Jack; a wounded soul who, at 24, is released from prison after serving time for a horrible crime he committed with a friend at the age of 10. Mullan plays the kid's councilor Terry; in charge of basically setting him up in a new town, with a new name and new goals to protect Jack from those who want him either dead or back in jail. Jack slowly begins to build a new life for himself; he excels at his job, makes some good friends and falls in love -- however, hidden deep inside him is a secret he can't afford to let out. Can he continue on as is, or will the truth eventually find its own brutal way of catching up to him?

Boy A is one heckuva powerful flick (shot and edited beautifully) that creeps up on you as the drama slowly unfolds. I have no problem giving this one a strong recommendation; it hits theaters in limited release on July 23.

There are some films that adhere so closely to type that you know everything about them the moment the trailer has ended: characters, relationships, goals, dreams -- all are revealed in those two minutes. And you know, too, if this is a movie you want to see because it will move you to tears with its well-loved cliches, or if those same cliches will fill you with rage, and you need to avoid it like the plague. Gaby Dellal’s On a Clear Day is one of those films.

If you’ve seen The Full Monty, you’ve seen On a Clear Day. Hell, if you’ve seen Brassed Off, you’ve seen it. Or even Calendar Girls. Like those films, it’s just what it appears to be: a heart-warming story about someone who is hit with bad news, and hatches a crazy plan which, though he might not know it at the time, will restore not just his self-worth, but also the love of his drifting, distant family. It’s never surprising, but it doesn’t want to be; in fact, the whole thing is shamelessly tear-jerking and cliched, and also, impossibly, immensely likable.