Movieman Madness: Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 2): ‘Boy’

In 2003, the short film Two Cars, One Night earned Taika Waititi an Oscar nod for Best Live-Action short. It centered on two brothers waiting in car for their dad late at night at a bar. Another car parks next to them and the driver heads towards the pub leaving the daughter alone the car. The kids in both vehicles banter back and forth until hostility evolves into amnesty.

Now you might be wondering, what this have to do with Waititi’s second film?

Boy's Family

Premiering on March 10, 2010, Waititi expanded the theme of his short into his next film, Boy. A coming-of-age story set in a small community in Waihu Bay, New Zealand of a kid simply known as Boy (James Rolleston) who idolizes both Michael Jackson and his father who he never knew. Being the oldest of his siblings, he becomes the man of the house looking after them including his imaginative younger brother Rocky (RickyLee Waipuka-Russell) who looks up to him when their grandma leaves for town. Then out of the blue who should show up on their doorstep but their dad Alamein (Taika Waititi). Driving in a classy car, hanging out out with his dad's "friends" known as the Crazy Horse gang, getting back at bullies, impressing the ladies, money, cool haircuts, it's a dream come true for Boy. Nobody else share's the same level of enthusiasm as he but as time goes on after countless treasure hunts, unexpected clashes, and break-downs, does reality start to sink in.

Rocky, Boy and Alamein

Waititi once again proves to be a masterful filmmaker balancing both comedy and drama in a story that feels realistic and authentic. The bond between Boy and his dad is one that is touching, harsh and sad. Similar to the main leads in Eagle vs. Shark, the characters are sad, lonely, and pathetic when trying act "cool." It's a glimpse into the mind of how everything for a good life seems perfectly planned but when life has other plans all efforts seem to make things worse. Flawed characters who don't seem to fit in with miserable lives who all they want is love and companionship. It's especially harrowing seeing it in the eyes of a Boy, a kid who dreamed of having the coolest dad; he see's him as a hero like many kids with their parents even when they have an idea that they may or may not be a good role model, sometimes even refusing to see the harm they are causing.

Keeping with Waititi's style of pop cultural references with reenactments of a couple of Michael Jackson's work and a moment of Marvel foreshadowing when Alamein compare's himself to the Hulk explaining his out-of-nowhere outbursts; a big temper with a penchant to smash but deep down he's still a nice guy. The sketchy animation segments involving Rocky's superhero imagination are another nice touch adding to that Wes Anderson feel like in his previous film. In keeping with actor/director collaborations, Rachel House (Nancy from Eagle vs. Shark) makes her second appearance this time playing Aunt Gracey who owns a small shop by the sea keeping an eye on Boy now and then. The acting as usual is spot-on, the kid actors are phenomenal and Waititi who i kept forgetting that he was the director, isn't too shabby himself demonstrating his acting talent even while working behind the camera. Think of it as a Coen Brothers movie with many moments of dark humor, dialogue and harsh scenes but has some nice and sad moments with that added Wes Anderson whimsy.

Going back to the question addressed at the beginning, a major theme I've spotted in Waititi's work is that even in the most unlikeliest of places love can still be found. From the quarrelsome kids in Waititi's Oscar-nominated short (which is also the tagline), the socially awkward couple Lily and Jarrod from Eagle vs Shark, and now Boy with his troubled family, particularly his dad. As the film reaches its conclusion it doesn't offer any easy answers nor solutions, kind of like life but even so there is always hope of a chance of a new start and never too late to patch things up.