The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
by Peter Care
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Emile Hirsch, Jake Richardson, Jena Malone, Kieran Culkin, Vincent D'OnofrioDirector: Peter Care
Brand: Sony
Producer: Bob Stephenson
Producer: Cheryl La Sasso
Producer: Chrisanne Mitchell
Producer: David A. Jones
Writer: Chris Fuhrman
Writer: Jeff Stockwell
Writer: Michael Petroni
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-11-05
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
Movie Review: Growing up can be difficult (and dangerous)
Summary: 4 Stars
I watched this on a recommendation from a friend, not really knowing anything about it going in, except that it was based on the novel by the late Chris Fuhrman. I sort of expected a routine coming-of-age story -- but while it focuses on a small group of adolescent Catholic schoolboys (and one girl) growing up in Savannah in the 1970s, it's anything but routine. Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch, a newcomer to me) and Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin, who is a better actor than his better-known brother) are struggling with their hormones and boredom and the discipline meted out by an especially strict nun (Jodie Foster, who nicely underplays the role). Francis is in love for the first time with Margie Flynn (Jena Malone), who seems as innocent and tentative as he is -- but she has a secret, and another secret within that, both of which she eventually shares with Francis. Who finally has to share his burden and tells Tim, who can't quite keep his mouth shut, either. Francis is a talented artist and the four friends contribute plots and characters to an ongoing superhero comic book Francis draws. (Sister Assumpta, of course, is "Nunzilla," the villain of the piece.) The live action is interspersed with the boys' animated alter egos, which is an interesting way of getting the viewer inside their heads and emotions. The third plotline involves a cougar kept at a small zoo, which becomes the focus of an extreme prank planned against Sister Assumpta -- but which (not unexpectedly) ends in extreme tragedy. The film starts off lightheartedly, gradually becoming darker and more serious as the various plotlines progress. The acting is first-rate, especially considering Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio (as Father Casey, also underplaying his few scenes) are the only adults with more than a single line. As an aside, Jodie Foster was forty years old here but she looks no more than twenty-five. Amazing. An affecting film.
Summary of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
A gang of catholic school 8th grade students in 1974 georgia get caught drawing an obscene comic book featuring priests and nuns having sex. As revenge for the punishment they received they plan a prank on a mean one-legged nun that they hope will also make them school legends and recovering the comic book. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 12/21/2004 Starring: Jodie Foster Jena Malone Run time: 105 minutes Rating: RA refreshing and honest portrayal of adolescent Catholic boys. The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys follows Tim (Kieran Culkin) and Francis (Emile Hirsch) as they engage in aimless vandalism and mockery--not from malice but boredom. Sadly, the theft of a religious icon and a plan to kidnap a cougar result in far more serious consequences than either boy intends. The authenticity of the characters and dialogue make the movie work; both script and performances are genuine and consistently surprising. Jena Malone, as a troubled girl who gets involved with Francis, is particularly good, but the whole cast (which includes Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio) does excellent work. In capturing both the harm and the good that teenagers can do, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys transcends the usual rebellious-kids storyline. The movie features animated segments that depict Francis's fantasy life, created by Todd McFarlane (Spawn). --Bret Fetzer
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