The Butcher Boy . Tucson Weekly . 05-11-98

The Butcher Boy

DIRECTED BY: Neil Jordan

REVIEWED: 05-11-98

A disturbing adaptation of Patrick McCabe's disturbing novel, Butcher Boy follows the sad and tempestuous formative years of Francie Brady (Eamon Owens), a 10-year-old Irish boy facing the problems Irish boys inevitably face in literature and movies: alcoholic, violent da's, crazy ma's, and viciously provincial townsfolk. Francie manages to escape the horror of his everyday life by retreating with his buddy Joe (Alan Boyle II) into a fantasy world fueled by comic books and movies. As the tragedies in his life mount, the volume of his fantasy world goes up, until all sorts of violent and insane acts seem, well, fun--both to Francie, and to the spirit of the movie. Director Neil Jordan mixes elements of Trainspotting, The English Patient, Sling Blade and The Wonder Years into a goulash that's both original and unsettling, reminding us how scary and beautiful the world can look to a child.

--Stacey Richter

Full Length Reviews
The Butcher Boy

Capsule Reviews
The Butcher Boy

Other Films by Neil Jordan
In Dreams
Interview With the Vampire
Michael Collins
The End of the Affair

Film Vault Suggested Links
Bringing Out the Dead
The Young Poisoner's Handbook
Ravenous

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