Customer Reviews

Little Boy Blue

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is not my first choice when selecting a movie and I honestly purchased it because it was a super deal and on the cover it featured (heartthrob) Ryan Phillipe (more famous for his roles in the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series and "54").  This is an unusual and troubling film.   The story is set in modern day rural Texas.  It follows the very dysfunctional lives of the West family.  Mom & Dad own and operate a small town bar.  The family history is deep and haunting and the movie leaves you in shadows as you try to piece together this emotional drama.  If I told you too many secrets, it would take away from the suspense and surprise of the movie.  I will say it is quite violent and/or sexual at times and it does not end on a happy "Brady Bunch" style note.   The story and acting is good, but the plot and suspense is excellent.  Hence I rated the film a 4.  It won several awards at smaller film festivals.  Although I have not seen "American Beauty" yet, I am thinking "Little Boy Blue" is somewhat similar in it's dysfunction, only "American Beauty" had more money to throw at the film.  Isn't Hollywood great?  "Little Boy Blue" also stars Nastassja Kinski and features 2 fine young actors playing the part of Jimmy's (Ryan Phillipe) siblings.   What is most disturbing about this movie, is that it could be based on a true story of dysfunction in America.

"Little Boy Blue" is one of the most powerful and compelling movies I've watched in awhile. True family history slowly unfolds between a Vietnam vet (John Savage) and his wife and three sons. The movie starts out slow with what seems like a typical family that has some problems. However, as the movie goes on, Jimmy West (Ryan Phillippe) starts to wonder about his father and himself, and the relation between the two. Something just seems suspicious and he has some questions that need to be answered.

Again, "Little Boy Blue" starts out slow, but when the plot starts to really show itself, the movie turns into one of the most powerful and thought provoking movies ever made. It slowly gives hints of what will solve the mystery and it really propels "Little Boy Blue" into being a disturbing, yet intriguing suspense drama.

If you like powerful movies about family drama, I definitely recommend getting "Little Boy Blue." It's one of the best movies of its kind in every way.

Whoa! Who is this Michael Boston guy? What an incredible writer! Sure, Ryan Phillipee is so watchable but geez, why don't we see him in more films like this? A great film!

LBB will go down like "Badlands", "The Last Picture Show", "Blue Velvet" and if this film finds an audience someday, "American History X".

"Little Boy Blue" entrances you from the get-go. I'm so glad I came across it at the video store!! (Ryan's picture on the cover helped), but damn... I mean, damn... what a story! I now have a new appreciation for little indie films. "Little Boy Blue" is da bomb!

It is so cool as a film student to be inspired, which is rare, but this film did it for me.

Rent it, I strongly suggest. You'll want to rent it again... like I did!

I hope Boston and Phillippe get together again!

Oh, those kids were adorable, too!!!

I bought this title because it was listed under gay movies. We enjoy watching movies about gay people with gay people in them. This movie had nothing gay about it, and was totaly misrepresented. A total waste of money.

This is definitely a character-driven movie. Ryan Phillippe proves that he's more than a pretty face in this intriguing and original film. Phillippe displays a certain vulernability that makes the audience completely symphathize with him. This movie takes a litte while to unravel, but once it does, it's well worth the wait. All the actors' performances are top-notch. This is a picture that shouldn't be missed by anyone who appreciates a good story with fine acting. Very intense!

Not to downplay the greatness of this film, as it truly is an amazing (though disturbing) movie, but I felt a short review on Phillipe's performance was in order.

Ryan Phillipe is most popularly known as the heartthrob character from I Know What You Did Last Summer, 54, and especially Cruel Intentions. When watching this movie I was particularly impressed by Phillipe as I feel this is his break-through role. Many of the characters he plays express similiar emotions and demeanor, but this one is far far different. If you have doubted Phillipe's acting talent at any time, this is a movie to see.

This movie is not Hitchcock, but it is really good filmmaking. I loved the twist at the end and the acting was really well done - not great - but well done. Ryan Phillipe is really talented and I thought he gave a very good performance, in a difficult role. I have recommended this film to many of my friends.

The movie really took me by surprise. I was not expecting the byzantine plot at all. Amazing. It should be no surprise that Nastassja Kinski is one of the best and under-rated actresses in films today. This movie gives her a little more of a challenge than some of the roles she's been taking lately. Ryan Phillipe: this is the first film I'd ever seen him in, and his haunting looks matched Nastassja's. Great, all the way around.

This is not my first choice when selecting a movie and I honestly purchased it because it was a super deal and on the cover it featured (heartthrob) Ryan Phillipe (more famous for his roles in the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series and "54").  This is an unusual and troubling film.   The story is set in modern day rural Texas.  It follows the very dysfunctional lives of the West family.  Mom & Dad own and operate a small town bar.  The family history is deep and haunting and the movie leaves you in shadows as you try to piece together this emotional drama.  If I told you too many secrets, it would take away from the suspense and surprise of the movie.  I will say it is quite violent and/or sexual at times and it does not end on a happy "Brady Bunch" style note.   The story and acting is good, but the plot and suspense is excellent.  Hence I rated the film a 4.  It won several awards at smaller film festivals.  Although I have not seen "American Beauty" yet, I am thinking "Little Boy Blue" is somewhat similar in it's dysfunction, only "American Beauty" had more money to throw at the film.  Isn't Hollywood great?  "Little Boy Blue" also stars Nastassja Kinski and features 2 fine young actors playing the part of Jimmy's (Ryan Phillipe) siblings.   What is most disturbing about this movie, is that it could be based on a true story of dysfunction in America.

This is one of those Southern Gothic flicks involving family secrets in a small town with characters and events that make your skin crawl, yet you just can't stop watching. About halfway through you'll think you've got it all figured out but one or two of the revelations towards the end will probably take you by surprise.

Ryan Phillippe does an outstanding job, showing that even early in his career he was more than a pretty face, as does Nastassja Kinski, who I guess also shows she was more than a pretty face. (As for John Savage, he can probably phone in this kind of role by now.) One quirky aspect of the script is that various characters will be just about to learn something important when the scene will cut away .. leaving you, the viewer, in the dark. It comes dangerously close to being an annoyance, but the upside is that this allows the final act to spring its surprises all the more effectively.

I appreciated that the ending was more hopeful than I'd expected, partly because I thought I'd figured things out but was proven wrong. Had this been directed by someone like David Lynch it would probably have been a masterpiece. Nonetheless, even if it doesn't rise to that level it is certainly a film that holds your attention and keeps you wondering until the end. More than a "B movie" .. maybe a B+.