tantriclady507 This film accurately portrays the realities of the subject admirably. The acting by the lead character is top notch and all the issues are played out. Unexpectedly a feel-good film in part as the joys of the main character take us along and allow us to be glad for the lives and freedoms we have. A good solid film with excellent characters.The sets and locations provide a noticeably stark background, devoid of warmth. The story provides just enough unresolved mysteries to keep us wondering. A well crafted film seamlessly executed.Most memorable quote: "I am not that boy anymore, I'm not that boy".This film shows us the true dynamics of this type of situation. Be prepared to be educated.

deatman9 I watched this movie the other day after reading up about it first on IMDb. I heard nothing but good reviews so I decided to give it a watch and im glad I did. Andrew Garfield does a great job as the lead he is a great up and coming actor. People say this movie resembles a true murder story from 1993 where two boys killed a little boy but I don't see many similarities just a story is all.This movie is about a young man who is released from prison after committing a murder as a young child. He regrets what he has done now struggles to try to make a normal life for himself while trying to leave his terrible past behind.This movie was really good. It had some great performances and the story line was well written I was just disappointed by the ending I feel they could have explained more.

Bene Cumb I have always preferred British films to U.S. ones as they are more often honest and realistic. Lives of ordinary people are generally not full of becoming heroes or obtaining sophisticated skills, dramatics is spread in minor events as well. I can understand that horrible deeds should never be forgotten, but a witch hunt by media is not justified as well - especially if a person has changed for the better as Andrew Garfield's character has repeatedly demonstrated. Moreover, cornered people, who have nothing to lose, may act totally strikingly.Boy A is a gloomy film, full of stress and misapprehension, but very realistic and with excellent acting (esp. Mullan and Garfield). I could have expected a different, more clear ending, but it is probably my fault :) Not recommended to those accustomed to bright and trouble-free life.

Rodrigo Amaro A horrible crime was committed. The young perpetrators paid their price in jail. One of them is about to be released and he'll try to start a new life. Everybody needs a second chance. But does everyone agree on that? Punishment was already made or it must be equal to the one he committed in the past? In the amazing "Boy A" Andrew Garfield plays the title role, his name while during his trial for killing a child, along with a friend. Now he's out of prison, with a different name, Jack, and he's going to rebuilt his life along with his protective rehabilitation worker Terry (Peter Mullan) who'll help him find a job and everything he needs. Simple as that? No. Jack is still haunted by the ghosts of the past, often reminding of how he end up doing what he did and also thinking his future might be ruined if people discover the truth. His work colleagues and his girlfriend know he did something to be imprisoned but they don't know what. Things would be the same if he reveals the truth to them, now that he's settled, quite happy and things aren't so tough anymore? But destiny has its odd surprises...Carefully constructed over an quiet, dramatic and tense atmosphere "Boy A" moves to so many directions without being confusing or problematic. It moves back and forth with Jack's new life and his life as a kid, giving us through the whole film an incredible sense of doubt if he really did committed a murder or not. The story greatly presents themes of redemption, love, friendship, humanism, it's all good but I had the sense that somehow, if you look carefully and closer to the elements given here in this story, you'll find some issues that can and will bother some viewers (although I think almost anyone haven't noticed such issues). Here they come: Sure, it's totally laudable to tell a story about someone who made a mistake, now needs a second chance, we can care about those things, we feel sorry for the young man. I know this was adapted from a book so they had to follow it's base but here's where my point of view tries to reach: Would we care for this film if Jack was portrayed by a more average type of actor, not so cute like Garfield or of a different race? Maybe, maybe not but it certainly would have less importance than this film has and "Boy A" is a great achievement because Andrew Garfield does an extremely convincingly job in the main role, and that was used by the director as a way to manipulate their audiences in the sense you must forgive the criminal, you can't condemn him to more punishments than the ones he already got. And you do feel lots of sympathy towards Jack/Garfield that's why I think the challenge made the film worth it (to an incredible number of viewers just look at the positive reviews here on the site) but this same cause might not work to some people, specially close-minded ones. Please don't get me wrong because I'm giving these remarks and a 10 star rating for this film; it's not contradictory. I'm just like what Terry is to Jack, he knows the young guy is imperfect, knows what he did but he cares for him in high esteem, no matter what. Same thing here between me and this film! Now launched as the new Spiderman and the memorable Eduardo Saverin of "The Social Network", Garfield must be highly noted for his performance here. If you haven't seen it run for it! He plays an difficult role portraying many different emotions into just one character, a man with a heavy burden to carry trying to unload part of it with his new life even though he's forever attached to his past. He really amazes us by showing what a guilty conscience is, it's that kind of feeling of never letting things go even when you know it's far behind you. Supporting him in great style is Peter Mullan, who plays an interesting figure in Jack's life, a man more proud of this boy even with all the things he done rather than feeling some admiration for his own teenage son, of whom he isn't so close after some problems in the family.At last but not least I loved this film for the small things that made the whole difference in the story, the minimal and almost unnoticed thing it occurs here: the importance of a good family structure. Lifes were shattered and never were the same if people would only pay attention to that little boy, who turned out to ruin another family lives and the story goes and on and on. Dramatically effective, quite realistic (inspired in the events of James Bulger case) and very well made this film is a must see for those who like involving stories and are not afraid of feeling sad or depressed through the whole journey. It certainly will reward you. 10/10