Product Details

• Actors: Nathan Lane, Robert Sean Leonard, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance
• Directors: John Erman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hallmark
• VHS Release Date: January 12, 1999
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304173377
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,803 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Four mentally challenged men sharing a house in the city try to muddle through as best they can in this touching, Hallmark Hall-of-Fame comedy. Based on the stage play by Tom Griffin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Characterizations, May 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Boys Next Door [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Having worked in education with clients just like "the boys", I must say that these actors do a WONDERFUL job portraying their characters. At times we laughed so hard we cried; and other times, we just cried. I hope the film fosters a better understanding of mentally & emotionally challenged adults. They are human beings with feeling and emotions just like those of us who are not challenged in that area. This film does a wonderful job of expressing those feelings. This is one movie you won't regret watching.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars INSIGHT INTO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE, September 7, 2005

By 

Waitsel Smith "Movie Shark" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Boys Next Door (DVD)

This is a made-for-television, Hallmark Hall of Fame film that is small in scale but big in heart. A true ensemble piece, every actor turns in a first-rate performance: Nathan Lane (The Bird Cage, Mouse Hunt), Michael Jeter, Robert Sean Leonard (Much Ado About Nothing), and Courtney B. Vance as mentally-challenged men living in a group home together; with Tony Goldwyn (Joshua, Tarzan, Last Tattoo) as the social worker who holds it all together. Also featured is Mare Winningham as Nathan's character's girlfriend. Funny, touching and unforgettable, it gives you insight into the lives of people whose challenges may be more obvious than our own; but who, nonetheless, possess the same desires and goals - to be whole, to fit in, to be loved.

This is one of Goldwyn's best performances to date, because he shows tenderness as well as strength, making him vulnerable, making him real. As the social worker Jack, he is torn between his love for his guys in the home, and his need to make a decent living and take care of his wife. The extra features give you a look into the thinking of each actor behind his performance, as well as the director's take on the piece, which is based on the play by Tom Griffin. This is a great movie to snuggle up with someone you love and watch with a big bowl of popcorn. Expect to laugh and cry.

Waitsel Smith

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Potrayal of the Plight of Disability Services, October 12, 2001

By 

Forest C (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boys Next Door [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was incredibly accurate. Not only in relation to the limits of Holywood distortions, but it was true to the experiences, values, and attitudes of those involved. It captured the current crisis in Direct Support Services so well. It gave a face to the sad truth of what our nation values and does not value; and our nation clearly does not value its disabled brothers and sisters. The only problem is that hardly anyone will ever see this film, I wish it was on PBS or CBS, etc.