The Boys
In the western suburbs of Sydney, a young nurse was abducted, raped, tortured and killed. How one human could possibly inflict such suffering on another is beyond most people’s understanding — certainly mine. Rowan Woods’ film The Boys, however, gives us an insight into the people who could do such a thing. Depicting the 24 hours after Brett Sprague (David Wenham) returns home from jail to be reunited with his brothers, the film is a loose adaption of the events leading up to the murder of the young nurse. Arriving home, Brett quickly reasserts his own brand of tyranny over his family, including his girlfriend Michelle (Toni Collette), and struggling mother Sandra (Lynette Curran).
Faultlessly acted and powerfully shot, the film is interspersed with flash-forwards which are both disorientating and evocative. And for once I would have to agree with the advertising spiel that it is quite a remarkable film. In the overworked tradition of Australian cinema it fearlessly explores the bleakest aspects of life, but astonishingly holds your attention by imparting a fascination with the microcosm of the Sprague brothers’ depraved world. But it is certainly not an easy film to watch. Unrelenting in tension and intensity, it is crushing to endure. But if you’re up to the challenge, you will be rewarded for the price The Boys will exact from you.
Mike Garrett
