The Boondock Saints (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
Soundtrack	Good

Advantages:	Entertainment
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Call me contrary, or whatever you like, but I tend to go against the grain at times, and my taste in films also follows this trend. I usually dislike most of the big blockbuster films, probably because they are so hyped, that by the time I see them, they just don't live up to what I was expecting.. I also think a lot has to do with how good the publicity agents are, and how gullible a lot of the public can be. I was going to say they are like sheep, but I often watch the sheep in the fields around my house, and believe me, sheep are not as daft as we are led to believe, but anyway, I digress, this is not an opinion on the Silence of the Lambs, so back to the issue in hand. Away from the biggies, I have come across a few real gems in the lesser known film catagories. Mind you, I think with directors and scriptwriters, it's all down to the old 'who you know' scenario. So this opinion is on one such film called The Boondock Saints.

The Boondock Saints (1999), is a Tarantino type film, only in my view, better, and I'm sure Quentin would have loved to have had this one to his credit. It was written and directed by an unknown, out of work musician called Troy Duffy, who was basically, in the end, screwed by the film industry. He was initially promised the world on a platter, but after all the contracts were signed, loopholes appeared out of the woodwork. He knew exactly what type of actors would fit the characters, and the suggested Robert Di Niro and Brad Pitt were not them, so to cut a long story short, he hired the actors he wanted, but after the film was made, instead of being released to cinema screens as promised,, it was sold to Blockbusters, who released it only on video for exclusive rentals from their stores. Even so, the film has managed to reach cult status and many fan sites can be found on the web.

Now, have you ever watched the news or read a newspaper and been outraged by stories of murder or dirty deeds, where the obvious guilty party walks, because of loopholes in the law? Well this is the inspiration behind The Boondock Saints. That sounds just like Deathwish, you may think, but believe me, it's not.

Fraternal twins, Connor and Murphy McMannus, (Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus), from an Irish working-class background, live in Boston, where a thriving mafia riddled, underground community, evade the law on a daily basis. The boys have just been living their lives with little interest in what was going on round about them, when one day two incidents change their lives forever. Flannery and Reedus, are convincing as twins, both being the same height and build, and they work so well together. They interact just like brothers, where they have disagreements and punch-ups, but underneath lies a devotion to the death for each other. Although those from Ireland may possibly find fault with the accents, just as I frequently do with phoney Scottish ones, I found their quietly spoken, Irish lilt quite convincing.

The story begins on St Patrick's day when the brothers, both devout catholics believe it or not, are at mass, and the priest claims that those who see a crime being carried out and walk away are just as guilty as the perpetrators. Then later that night, at a St Patrick celebration in their local Irish pub, the Russian Mafia make an appearance, with fatal consequences. So begins the career of the Boondock Saints.

Being a bit battered and bruised after their first successful dealings with the baddies, they are elated at the results and media feedback, so the twins decide to take things a step further, and next take on the big boss of the Russian Mafia. Meanwhile, the Boston police, who are more like they Keystone Cops, have brought in the FBI. Enter agent Paul Smecker, played by Willem Dafoe, who is a classical music loving, over-dramatic, gay, Sherlock Holmes type character. Dafoe makes this part all his own, and if you see the film you'll realise that although Bill Murray and Sylvester Stalone (which were two of the choices the studio originally wanted for the part), are big names, this part was not for them. I mean, come on, Murray and Stalone aren't exactly known for their similar roles. How could anyone believe a particular part could be played by either?

To continue, Smecker eventually figures out who is behind the killings, and although he knows it's wrong, he also in a way understands why they are doing it, and does a lot of soul searching in deciding how best to handle the case. I have always been a fan of Willem Dafoe, but must admit this is probably one of his best performances of all time, especially in his guise near the end of the film. I'm saying no more.

The other main character in the film is Rocco, aka, Funny Man, (played by David Della Rocco), who is a friend of the twins and also a small-time runner for the local mafia. He himself is then set-up by his employers and so decides he wants to be one of the Boondock Saints to get revenge on them. He is at times more of a hindrance than anything else, but he's a pal, so they humour him. Then there's his balaclava. Ah, but again I'll say no more.

I could talk in detail about the humour in this film, which I promise can match, and in many cases outmatch some of the great Comedies, but I don't want to fool anyone into thinking this one is great for a fun-filled family night-in with the kids. It is not a slap-stick, Jim Carey type comedy in any way. This film is violent, with blood and bullets flying throughout, but this is where the genius lies. If someone had not been following the storyline or listening to what was going on, it could come across as a bloodbath, and yet when you know what's happening, these same situations are really funny. There is also a scene in the film with a cat, which saw me with tears running down my face it was so funny. This is actually one of the classic scenes in the picture, oh yes, and the rope. I'm saying no more here. If you want to know about the cat or the rope, you'll have to watch it for yourselves. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Billy Connolly also stars in the film. He has a small, but very relevant part.

So here we have the McMannus twins out killing all the underworld scum, but they are on a mission from God, and even dispatch their victims in a very holy manner. When they have the person in the right position, they say in unison......And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, Power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command, we shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine patrie, et fili (they cock their guns) et spiritu sancti. (bang). Aw, isn't that nice.

The manner in which the film is shot also adds to the atmosphere. It comes in segments where the boys are just about to enter to do the business, then it cuts to the aftermath, where agent Smecker is walking the scene and voicing his opinion of what took place, then cuts back to the boys and what actually happened. It works, honest. As does the music, by Jeff Danna, which adds a sort of religious drama to the film, and keeps the suspense high.

The only criticism some have of the film, is the ending. I personally think it works, due to the way the film is set out, (and leaves an opening for a sequel...yes,yes), but I believe some were looking for a more dramatic ending. So this is something you will have to decide for yourself.

In conclusion, this is a film I highly recommend, and it is one of those where one viewing is not enough. If you love it as much as I do, you will want to rewind and listen to some of the 'crack', over and over again. I also have some great news for anyone who thinks they might enjoy this film. Blockbuster have finally allowed the film to go on general release, and you can now purchase it on Amazon for an amazing £5.99. Hardly worth renting it out when you can buy it for that price. If you are still not sure, and think perhaps I might just be a closet gore-freak, the film is showing occassionally on Sky, so watch out for it there.

So I'll end in the words of the McMannus twins:-

Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal.
Those are tenants all should live by, cross those lines, and the Saints may just be behind you.

Oh, and remember to watch out for, the bartender, the cat, the rope and the balaclava.

Running Time..110 minutes.
Certificate 18.