Boys (2014)

Boys

• What a nice, quick little romance. Not that the romance itself ended, I’m just talking about the film. Coming in at just under an hour and twenty minutes, it takes some time to let you get familiar with the characters, while slowly building to a slight climax and satisfying resolution. In terms of story, there wasn’t anything that stood out a huge amount. There were a couple scenes that felt a little stale, but there were also several scenes that were very heartwarming, emotional, and touching. I do think the film didn’t necessarily go anywhere, at least until the last 30ish minutes. The first 45 felt slow and repetitive, but once the third act rolls in, it picks up, and that’s when it pulls at your heartstrings the most. I did enjoy the sports setting, which can make it more relatable to the male audience. The last track meet does hold significance, which makes it all worthwhile. The performances from most of the cast were alright, nothing too special. Most of the time, it does feel like your generic made-for-TV film, but: the performance from Gijs Blom was particularly moving. He does so much communicating through his facial expressions, most especially from his eyes. He makes it very easy to feel for, even in scenes where you may not agree with his decisions. But at the end of the day, you’re glad you stuck with him, and the last scene is just so satisfying and joyous. Overall, this film does have weak spots, at least for the first two acts, and it’s cheesy at times. But it tells a great coming-of-age story, and makes you in touch with your feelings and thoughts. I’d recommend it to most romance fans, especially if you enjoy ‘Brokeback Mountain’ or ‘All of Us Strangers’. This is definitely a step down from those, but it’s still good nonetheless. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!