The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

Rating:
Summary: Growing Up Is Hard To Do
Review: Context is basically what separates one coming-of-age story from another, as well as the way it's presented; the filmmaker's ability to make that all important connection with the audience. Due in no small part to some strong performances, 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,' directed by Peter Care, is a successful and worthwhile-- even significant-- addition to the genre. Though it works within specific parameters (the subjects are students at a Catholic school), most importantly, the film taps deeply into the internal angst experienced by the individuals who are the focus of Care's incisive study, and the way in which their feelings are externalized in the film offers a satisfying examination of the human condition at a particularly sensitive juncture of life.

Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch) is fourteen and in the throes of that inescapable period of change through which we all must pass on the way to becoming who we are as adults. A pupa encased in the cocoon of youth, Francis is straining against that protective shell, attempting to break through into manhood. His family environment is strict, the routine of his life (which includes being an altar boy) is rigid, and puberty is having it's way with him. Adding to his inner conflict, as well, is the fact that his best friend, Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin), is continually engaging in exploits that transcend mischief to the point of being outright foolish and dangerous; daring deeds in which Francis must necessarily take part, in keeping with their own established caste and as Tim's confrere in this business of probing life's eternal mysteries. Not to mention, too, that Francis has discovered something else, quite on his own. And her name is Margie Flynn (Jena Malone).

Luckily (perhaps), Francis manages to vent his pent up frustrations and confusion creatively, through animation. With his friends Joey and Wade (Tyler Long, Jake Richardson), he has created a comic book, 'Atomic Trinity,' which features four outcast teenaged boys endowed with superpowers (Tim has been included as 'editor'). And to channel their hormonal driven rebellion against authority and structure, they have chosen their teacher, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), as their target, for in their eyes she personifies all that is wrong with their world. Assigning her the role of Source Of All That Is Bad, she emerges as 'Nun-zilla' in their comic, this haven to which they can flee and momentarily escape the realities of a world they haven't as yet figured out. What they don't realize is that Tim is about to involve them in a scheme which, if effected, is going to change their lives forever. And that 'safe haven' of theirs may soon be a thing of the past.

Learning to navigate the rapids of life is no easy task, and director Care treats his subject accordingly, with a sensitive and serious rendering of the material (the screenplay was written by Jeff Stockwell and Michael Petroni, adapted from the book by Chris Fuhrman). Care succeeds by avoiding the kind of embarrassing frivolity that is too often associated with a film of this nature. He maintains credibility at every turn, making the story believable by keeping it on the stage of reality, rather than allowing it to wander into the theater of the absurd. The way he presents the relationship between Francis and Margie, for instance, is entirely convincing in the way they tentatively explore their budding sexuality together, rather than lurching ahead with seemingly sudden and inexplicable knowledge and enlightenment. Their discoveries come more from reaction than action, and the result is a very honest and genuine depiction of the situation. And Care uses this approach consistently throughout the film, which goes far in making it a thoroughly thought provoking drama.

As Francis, young Hirsch gives a commanding performance, exhibiting a maturity and grasp of the character that is far beyond his years. There is a complexity to Francis that demands a tremendous emotional range to be convincing, and Hirsch delivers it all and then some, with a portrayal of astounding depth. Here, in his motion picture debut, he emerges as one of the finest young actors in the business today.

Jena Malone also makes a substantial impact with her acute portrayal of Margie, successfully conveying the tortured soul of this young girl who must endure a most distressing secret. There are moments in which the pain derived from her inner turmoil is almost tangible; and that about sums up the quality of her performance here.

Displaying yet another side of the coin is Kieran Culkin, who in Tim creates a character who, unlike the others, internalizes his adolescent discord while outwardly manifesting an almost aloof disdain for caution in all things. We're given indications and a glimpse into the strife existing within his home and family, and it's enough to make us aware of the source of his discontent. It's a solid performance, though he fails to make any real connection with the audience, most likely due to the fact that Tim is quite simply not an easy character to embrace.

The most subtle and understated performance in the film is turned in by Jodie Foster, who though she lacks enough screen time to adequately develop her character nevertheless manages to succinctly reveal exactly who she is and what she's about. She is stern, and obviously a disciplinarian; but though her methods may be too straightforward, even to the point of seeming malicious, she is not, and is far from being the monster 'Nun-zilla' depicted in 'Atomic Trinity.' On the contrary, she has a good heart and sincerely wants only to instruct her students in ways that will lead them to a fulfilling life. There is obviously more to Sister Assumpta's story, but the focus of the film must necessarily remain elsewhere, and we are left to infer what we may.

A thoughtful, emotionally involving film, 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' offers a viable perspective on the rigorous undertaking known as 'growing up.'

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a film adaptation of Chris Furhman's novel portraying the pubescent years of boys and girls in a Catholic grammar school. Wow! Talk about contradictory and opposing forces, this film hits you right between the eyes. Produced by Jodie Foster and Meg Lefauve who seek projects that push for a universal truth, this production certainly doesn't disappoint. It's a tender love affair underlying the bottled energy, hormone driven youngsters, looking to unleash on a world not yet known to them.

A nun, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), in her unswerving dedication, tries to convince her pupils that denial and self-discipline here on earth, assures their divine salvation. The boys see her as a fiendish Church authority and create a comic book that defiles her and the church. Animated sequences of their comic book art are shown that reveals the boys' perception of their own lives. This provides an ingenious touch of insight into their thought processes. The girls are quieter, but their emotions run no less deeply; just in a different way. One of them, Margie (Jenna Malone), has a dark secret that she dares not reveal, but feels she must when she falls in love with Francis (Emile Hirsch).

It is scary, fascinating, disturbing, wonderful, and an inescapable peek into reality, and the casting and acting are incredible; it's as good as it gets. Be sure to see this film...you'll never forget it.

Rating:
Summary: buy this movie
Review: the story is amazing and emile hirsch is outstanding!I highly recommend this to anyone

Rating:
Summary: Unique, Original Movie, Great DVD
Review: I never got around to see this movie until today because I thought it would be stupid, fake, and emotionless. But my friend and I decided to rent it. And I was in for a surprise.
"The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is one of the best movies of the year. It grabs you into the story and makes you happy and sad. It teaches you how to have a good time without going over the top.
Really, it's just about some boys and their lives in a Catholic school. They are so against everyone. And they like comic books. And the story takes you through their every day, unique and special lives.
It's truly a beautiful story and movie. See it!

Rating:
Summary: Title misleading? Look further ---->
Review: In this day and age when the Catholic Church is paying out milllions to keep the details of "the dangerous lives of altar boys" out of the limelight, one might expect this to be an expose of the church. But this film has very little to do with altar boys' experiences performing their duties in on Sunday.

Set in a Catholic School with an amazing performance by (I couln't believe it when I saw it) Jodie Foster as a nun-from-hell; this story follows the fantasies and thoughts of boys at an age when anything seems possible. But this is NOT just another coming-of-age story of choices and change.

Two best friends are the main characters, while Foster provides a face to an important part of their fantasy in the boys' antics and mysteries. What an neat view into the minds of not just these characters, but in understanding what twists of fate may make the difference between the troubled teen and the stand-out young man.

Culkin's acting is far superior to anything his brother ever tried and deserves commendation, not just because he must follow in the confused footsteps of his older brother. Culkin plays this character to the edge and shows the audience that he is not just another wannabe. Watching this gifted actor experiment and grow as a fine thespian will be a delight.

The vehicle for discovering the inner workings of the boys is an extrodinary film technique and blends so well into the storyline that it cannot be explained without ruining the film for the viewer. Suffice it to say, an almost biblical tale of good vs. evil climaxes in the minds and actions of the kids and their childhood antics.

The TRUE self image of the youngsters could never be shown or acted without the help of pencil to paper and the magic of cinema.

The DVD version of this film gives us a wonderful glimpse into the vision of the producers and director as well as an intriguing breakdown of a pivotal scene in the film. An exciting, stunning, and enlightening experience for all ages. I highly recommend the purchase, not just rental, of this DVD. Each viewing will uncover another layer of this filmmaker's POV.

Rating:
Summary: Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
Review: Great movie, the years best. Funny, thrilling, and emotional. Doesnt get much better than that. The Cast is absolutly perfect. Not only the adults, but the teenage actors are just as good. Great screen play, and an unbelievable ending leaving you on the edge of your seat!

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but intriguing coming of age tale
Review: “The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys” is an odd movie for several reasons. It mixes animation with live action, and it is the antithesis of the typical American movie about teenagers. These characters deal with sex and drugs more like very young adults than overgrown kids, While this viewpoint may be a little surprising to some viewers, it makes these teens more believable and memorable.

Tim and Francis [Kieran Culkin and Emile Hirsch] are best friends. Growing up in a small, Middle American city, They attend a Catholic school and act as alter boys at the local cathedral. Bright, rebellious and bored, they are constantly looking for ways to get into trouble. With other friends, they create a comic book called the Atomic Trinity. The book’s heroes are their alter egos, and the villain is modeled after the school’s dreaded Sister Assumpta [Jodie Foster]. When the Sister discovers the book, which is quite sacrilegious, there is hell to pay. Like all good rebels, the boys vow revenge. Meanwhile, Francis falls in love with Margie Flynn [Jena Malone], a girl with a terrible secret which will exact a terrible toll on Francis and Tim’s friendship.

Weaknesses in the script mar an otherwise interesting coming-of-age tale. In particular, the animation sequences get in the way of the narrative towards the end. While they vividly illustrate the boys’ fantasy world, they would have been more effective had they been briefer and more to the point.

A highlight is the young cast. Culkin, Hirsch and Malone are three of the best teenage actors around, and it is treat to see them together in the same movie.

While it rarely reaches the heights to which it aspires dramatically, “The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys” is one of the better recent movies about young people and their problems. [NOTE: The movie’s title is from the cult novel on which it is based. It has nothing to do with the sex scandal currently rocking the Catholic Church.]

Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly different film succeeds on many levels!
Review: THE DANGEROUS LIFE OF ALTAR BOYS is not a film about the current Catholic controversies, so don't let the title steer you away from a throughly fine piece of movie making. As endlessly outlined in the other reviews, ALTAR BOYS is a story of how young boys deal with the world both within their narrow space of a small town Catholic school and neighborhood and with the greater obstacles of the world outside their sphere of influence. The film introduces a quartet of lads who seem to be heading us toward a hilarious sequence of misadventures revolving around their shared view of Sister Assumpta and the rigidity of life inside the parochial classroom. The manner in which these grand plans begin to misfire introduces metaphors of the rite of passage for men, the rise of testosterone effects, the discovery that all is not what it appears to be, and that even plots of seemingly innocent mischief can have life-altering consequences. The story is enhanced by the director's choice to turn the screen into a comic book world when the visions of the boys grow larger than life. And no, this is not the usual obnoxious interference of animated characters pasted on the real life screen of breathing people. This is cinematic witchcraft at its finest. The actors are uniformly excellent - Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, Jody Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio, et al - and ably traverse the tightrope from comedy to tragedy. This is a movie to pay attention to, not just pass over because it seems like a 'kid thing'. There is much to be learned from the minds of these youngsters. A superb little movie.

Rating:
Summary: brilliance
Review: this movie blens in comediac genious with a crucial dramatic twist. Great acting. Great storyline and a great movie.

Rating:
Summary: WITHOUT A DOUGHT THE BEST INDEPENDENT FILM EVER
Review: This is a wonderful movie about 4 altar boys who decide to scare their nun teacher (played by jodie foster) and a wonderful performance she gives. Part of the movie is animated by the animater of spawn telling the story about the hero called muscle man who falls for the evil sorceres but must stay alive to send the sword to it's rightful place. The real life part is that the altar boys decide to go to the local zoo and get a cougar to scare nunzillia(so they call her in the comic).So they find pharmacutical drugs at ecxerds and try to get it to fall asleep. This is wonderfly done and is great.
i hope you have time to watch this movie it is a great film and has a great soundtrack.
Jena malone also gives a knockout performance.
AND HAS A KNOCKOUT ENDING.