Customer Reviews

The War Boys

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

THE WAR BOYS is a low budget, small film by first time director Ron Daniels and written by relative newcomers Naomi Wallace and Bruce McLeod that puts more conflicts before the audience than most hyped Hollywood movies. Where this little film succeeds is in its ability to present the bumps in the lives of young men struggling with the conflict of stepping out of the familial heritage into a world of unknowns. Populated by a very strong cast of young actors, THE WAR BOYS takes us to places other films have feared to go and does so very well.

The location of the film is a small town somewhere near the border between the US and Mexico. The War Boys is the name of a group of lads who in highschool worked their own kind of border patrol, finding illegals and chasing them. Among this triad are Hispanic but American born Grigorio (Victor Rasuk) who joins the action to escape the derision by his classmates as a 'beaner', David (Benjamin Walker) whose father Slater (David Gallagher) has money and has sent David off to Duke University to become a lawyer, and George (Brian J. Smith) an insecure lad whose father is a cab driver and whose mother is supportive (their family also includes a young Mexican girl named 'Cat' (Cheyenne Serano) who runs about the little town dressed as Zorro, acting tough but really in need of love from her new brother George. David is home from college on a spring break (he actually was suspended for stripping nude in one of his classes!) and rejoins George and Grigorio for mischief. David learns that his father brings contraband from Mexico into the US and with that surprising inside information the three plan a heist of what they believe to be a truckload of televisions: the escapade goes terribly wrong when the true contents of the absconded truck are discovered.

The stories that unfold about each of these boys are what make the film gel. Grigorio is a virgin and is infatuated with Marta (Micaela Nevárez), an older but beautiful owner of a doughnut shop: the interaction between these two needy people - the virgin Grigorio and Marta afraid to become involved with someone younger than she - speaks mountains about relationships versus infatuation and physical needs. David and George have a past history of acting out a physical attraction and this comes forth in a set of scenes that address young male sexual identity challenges in some of the most beautifully realized and subtle scenes on film. David and Slater have father/son relationship problems that come to a crisis with David's attraction to George: the surprise is how sensitively this conflict is worked out. George and Cat have never related but when George confides his sexual secrets to Cat she is the supportive bulwark of understanding - again in a very sensitive and subtle way.

Given these character developments and the many critical topics the film addresses (prejudice against illegals, taking advantage of the built in crime of the border towns, sexual identity challenges, etc) the ending of the film is intensely dramatic and leaves the audience with a profound message. An excellent young cast and a fine director make this a powerful little film that should not be missed. Grady Harp, May 11

WOW! What a great movie! I was left wanting more. It kept me intrigued through the whole film espically with the relationship that grew between David and George! I did not want it to end! The cliff hanger at the end summed it all up! I still want to know what happened at the end! But great job with the whole movie! Brain J. Smith is such a great actor!

Is this an action adventure film, a thriller, or a coming of age movie? Tough to say, because it feels like a little of all, plus romance. Whatever it is, i was entertained for 90 minutes. Three high school buddies reunite a year after graduation to continue their adventures as petty thieves and trouble makers in a small border town. But a plan to steal a truck filled with what they think is black market TVs goes terribly wrong, and they are left with the realization that they contributed to the tragedy. I admit i wanted a little more at the end of the film, telling me how the tragedy impacted their lives, but overall it was still very satisfying.

I watched this movie with my boyfriend and we both had different opinions about the movie. So, I am only sharing my opinion.
I thought the movie made a few points and the first one right at the start of the movie. Though the boys were playing I definitely got the racism card. Then there is a scene that can easily be said to be a reference at the Arizona law proposition concerning illegal immigrants. And then there is also a point made about `cougars." If you are not familiar with that term (slang) yet - the younger man and the older woman is what I meant by that. And lastly there is that struggle from hating oneself for feeling an attraction for another guy and the fight within to not act upon it. Many gay people can identify with that scene. I know I can. I also thought this movie is tastefully done, but sometimes cheesy; but it offers something for everyone. It can open your mind not only to the difficulties of dealing with ones sexuality but array everyday struggles for all types of people. It is a must see!

I loved this movie. The guys were real, their relationships were true to life, and the love between David and George was totally convincing. I never wanted it to end, because it seemed so true to life.

This film definitely crosses genres. Yes, it is an action film and a coming out story, but it also has some broader cultural messages that it manages to convey very subtly for a film that at times isn't very subtle at all. The unexpected twists and turns and the solid acting (especially from Brian J. Smith, whom I'd never heard of but now want to check out since he has an almost Brad Pitt sexiness and charisma about him) made it an intriguing film to watch. I was expecting a suspense thriller with a gay character or two, but the film delivers a lot more than that. There are situations and messages interwoven into the story that are actually quite profound. That the film doesn't dwell on them is actually one of its strengths, in my opinion. But even if all you want is a film with some steamy scenes, I don't think you'll be disappointed. A few scenes, both heterosexual and homosexual, are highly erotic, and the "first kiss" is one of the hottest scenes I've witnessed in a gay film. But the film, as I've already said twice now, is a lot more than sex and thrills. It actually makes you think.

This story is a sign of the times that really hit home. The evolving relationship between two young men and the angst surrounding illegal immigration issues are convincing and real because they are current themes that need to be faced. The climax is a cliffhanger, so I'm not sure if there will be a War Boys II? The topics are serious, and yet there is a tender element underlining the social strife the material easily evokes. The questioning of stereotypes is something that is usually glossed over in films, but not in this one. This movie stirs the conscience as well as the heart and soul.

Absolutely brilliant. I wish there where more films like this. Wonderfully written and directed. The acting was fantastic. I originally wanted to see this film because of the gay theme played out by 2 of the characters. There is so much more to it then that. A must see for anyone.

This is a gr8 movie to watch. Not complicated yet funny, romantic and dramatic as well. A friend recommended this film to me and now I am recommending to folks that love independent movies.

Great movie. Lot's of thought provoking messages. What would you do for love? What are you hiding from? Are we any better than anybody else?

Acting was amazing, scenery beautiful. Definitely a must see movie..