Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys A Coming Of Age Film Catholic Style
Submitted by nogatau on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
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Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys A Coming Of Age Film Catholic Style
When one mentions films falling into the "coming-of-age" genre, I typically think of films like: My Girl, The Breakfast Club, and Outside Providence, amongst others. Contrary to what I believe their purpose to be, I cannot say that any of the aforementioned films had a significant impact on my life, nor did they leave me contemplating any of life's many adventures, challenges, and mysteries. One of the first such films that has truly impacted my lifetruly made me stop and thinkwas The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys. I went into viewing this film with the preconceived notion that I would take very little away from it. To my surprise, I found this film to have incredible entertainment value, while still superbly demonstrating the underlying themes and the realities of adolescence.
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boysalthough its title alone may lead one to believe that the film deals with the scandalous events surrounding the Catholic priesthoodis director Peter Care's brilliant portrayal of two young Catholic schoolboys; their plots, ploys, and their loves. Wonderfully filmed, carefully edited, and expertly directed and acted, this film has very quickly found its way onto my list of favourites. The film is full of the fun, frivolity, and carelessness commonly associated with childhood, yet still manages to tackle many "heavier" issues including teenage love and rebellion, broken homes, domestic violence, and incest.
The film opens with Tim Sullivan and Francis Doyle, played respectively by Kieran Culkin and Emile Hirsch, using their newly acquired skill of "triangulation" to cut down a telephone pole and crush a precisely placed liquor bottle, while standing just inches behind it themselves. In school the following day the students are asked by the domineering, wooden-legged Sister Assumpta (played by the incredibly talented Jodie Foster) how they have put to practical use their newfound skill. The boys simply exchange smiles, basking in...
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