November 26th, 2007
Boy A tonight
Still can’t access anything at all on my laptop so tonight I’ll be distracting myself by watching Boy A on Channel 4 at 9pm. It tells the story of 24-year-old Jack who, when he was 11, was imprisoned for killing a young girl. The drama follows his life and new identity post-release and has obvious parallels with the Jamie Bolger case. Normally, this sort of thing is not my slice of telly, but the script is written by Mark O’Rowe, who also wrote the screenplay for Intermission (much mentioned in the Irish film discussion here). O’Rowe also happens to be one of the most brilliant contemporary voices in Irish theatre and Made in China is not just an important Irish play, it’s one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen.
Boy A stars feted newcomer Andrew Garfield in the lead role (who was last seen on screen here in the awful, flag-waving Lions for Lambs). His presence might be one reason why Boy A is getting a US film release. Well, that and the fact that it doesn’t hurt to have The Weinsteins involved.
The Telegraph - while taking a potshot at some of Channel 4’s recent drama output - calls Boy A “the finest single drama you’ll see on British television this year” while The Times is drawing comparisons with Night of the Hunter.
Need any more reasons to watch it?
November 26th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
What about America’s Next Top Model? Eh?
November 26th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Harvey Weinstein bought the rights and will be released in cinemas in the US. How’s that for a coup?
November 27th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Just finished watching it - fantastic. Possibly the most powerful piece of drama I’ve seen on TV in years.
Thanks for the tip.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:04 am
That was hard to watch but very compelling!
November 27th, 2007 at 9:34 am
It was astonishing. From the first frames, this lad Andrew Garfield (I haven’t seen Lions for Lambs, so he was a new face to me) just captured my attention. Utterly compelling, difficult to watch, hugely moving. An exceptional piece of work from all involved.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I am now constructing an altar to Peter Mullan.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Grrrrr - missed it. Anyone know of any repeats?
November 27th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I really wanted to watch this but got distracted and missed the start so let it pass. What was your take Sinead?
November 27th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
If you’ve got Channel 4’s 4OD service you can watch it via that for the next 30 days. It’s well worth catching.