The Butcher Boy The Butcher Boy

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

Eamonn Owens Alan Boyle Fiona Shaw Andrew Fullerton Stephen Rea Aisling O'Sullivan Peter Gowen Sean McGinley John Kavanagh Rosaleen Linehan Anita Reeves

drama foreign comedy

110 mins   More details at IMDb / TMDb

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  • CINEMADHESIVE

    Review by CINEMADHESIVE ★★★★

    (Quickie Review)

    The political world outside is emotionally hot with talks of Communism and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Young Francie Brady's inner world is hot as well, fueled on bullying, trouble making, comic books, cowboys and indians, and an alcoholic father and suicidal mother. Upon staying in a Christian boarding school for terrorizing neighbors, Francie sees visions from God, and visions from the disordlery conduct of his priest. Francie is sent back home a little more mature, yet even more distraught to find his personal world in shambles. Thus, leading to a bizarre black humor ending that you hoped could have been avoided, yet still find yourself cheering for.

    -djg

  • ralch

    Review by ralch ★★★★½

    Neil Jordan has a unique way of making a salad with the bizarre, absurd, melodramatic, horrific, poetic, and even formulaic, and come up with something strangely but strongly lyrical. Maybe not quite perfect, but definitely an outstanding film.

  • Daniel Kelly

    Review by Daniel Kelly ★★★★

    Vital and appropriately manic adaptation of Patrick McCabe's novel. Inventively shot with strong performances, "The Butcher Boy" adeptly balances comedy and tragedy. The final act is perhaps a little rushed, but on the whole this picture does reverent service to a complex book. Elliot Goldenthal's score is also deserving of special recognition.

  • culturemouse (Kate McCall)

    Review by culturemouse (Kate McCall) ★★★

    Very good acting, and an interesting watch. The jovial narrative meant his descent into madness didn't come off as disturbing as it should have been. It was a tad long too. But a faithful adaptation of the Patrick McCabe novel. And Sinead O'Connor as the Virgin Mary!

  • Damian C

    Review by Damian C ★★★½

    Enjoyable adaption by Neil Jordan here, not dragged down by his usual preoccupation with fairy tale imagery. The kids are excellent, and there are some genuine laughs to be had if your humour is dark enough.

    No classic, but well worth it.

  • tattlesgibbo

    Review by tattlesgibbo ★★★

    not so sure how to say this - i should have loved it - childhood psychological trauma, drunk irish dad, a dead mother, (war-time era?) vintage-aesthetic nostalgia, neurotic thin woman -yet there was something about it that didn't quite gel with me. perhaps it was supposed to leave the viewer feeling a bit unhinged, distanced, haunted in a 'don't know how i feel about that' sort of a way. it didnt make me as sad as id hoped (weird huh?) or as angry as i'd've liked to be - the kiddie is crazy thats for sure but it seems like its not really anyones fault in terms of the characters we experience. again, perhaps that was the point, without anyone…

  • Ronan Doyle

    Review by Ronan Doyle ★★★½

    A striking descent into the madness of a fractured mind. I think I'd be able to like it more if Francie were established as a more likeable character from the beginning; he's set up as the dodgy kid you'd cross the road to get away from, and as such it's hard to feel as impacted by his story as you should be. Jordan directs with appropriate panache, contributing some wonderfully effective hallucinatory visuals that put us right in the mind of the young character. Quite unsettling by its conclusion, The Butcher Boy nicely toys with the typical comedy of Irish film, but not quite well enough to make it as strong a piece as it should be.

  • Samuel W

    Review by Samuel W ★★★★½

    The Butcher Boy is dark, shocking, and very funny. With a surprisingly original plot, this movie takes you into the mind of Francis Brady, a 12 year old, imaginative, Irish boy with an equally imaginative best friend Joe. Despite being raised by an abusive, alcoholic father and depressed, suicidal mother, Francis remains cheerful and energetic throughout the majority of the movie. The movie takes a surprising turn as it continues to explore darker themes; Francis begins to lose those he loves and becomes both paranoid and obsessed over his neighbor Mrs. Nugent. To add perspective and humor, the entire story is told by a grown up Francis Brady looking back on his childhood with humor, irony, and an overall light-hearted…

  • Luke Gorham

    Review by Luke Gorham ★★★½

    3.5 out of 5 (B)