The Boys
The third day of the London Australian Film Festival ended with the 25th anniversary of THE BOYS, a powerfully tense examination of suburban masculinity rarely seen on UK screens since its original release in 1998.
Out on parole after serving a sentence for assault, the malevolent Brett Sprague (David Wenham) returns to his family home, and his mother (Lynette Curran), two brothers (John Polson and Anthony Hayes) and estranged girlfriend (Toni Collette). As Brett strives to reassert his violent dominance over those around him, a barely contained malice soon turns to violence, and ultimately leads to an ominous conclusion that still feels frighteningly relevant to contemporary Australia.
This searing adaptation of Gordon Graham's notoriously successful play, itself inspired by the infamous 1986 murder of Anita Cobby, is shot, directed and performed with startling precision. The result is perhaps the most ruthless exposé of suburban misogyny in all Australian cinema.
As part of the AFTRS x LAFS dual 50th celebration, MUD CRAB (d. David Robinson-Smith, 2022, drama), will play before THE BOYS.
"A chilling, corrosive depiction of the banality of evil…boasting extraordinary performances" - Variety
"an almost unbearably tense depiction of the events leading up to a crime" - SBS Movies
WHY WE CHOSE THE FILM:
Laila (LAFF Director):
"The power of David Wenham and Toni Collette's acting talent is ferociously on display in this terrifyingly amazing film. A must for fans of ANIMAL KINGDOM, SNOWTOWN, HOUNDS OF LOVE and NITRAM."
Stephen (LAFF Co-Programmer):
“Anchored around David Wenham’s most menacing performance, THE BOYS is horrifyingly naturalistic, and almost unbearably tense. One the finest cinematic examinations of Australian masculinity, and a truly remarkable film that demands to be seen on the big screen!”
With thanks to AX1 and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.