Borstal Boy

Brendan Behan's famous memoir about his troubled youth formed the basis of this drama. Brendan (Shawn Hatosy) is a 16-year-old boy from Ireland who loathes the British and is eager to do something about it. Brendan sails into Liverpool, but is discovered to be carrying the makings of a bomb; he's ...more

Borstal Boy is a pleasant but formulaic coming-of-age movie that seems too sentimental and devoid of irony for its gritty subject matter. Shawn Hatosy gives an acceptable performance as Brendan, but the character is too easygoing and bland, particularly considering what's known about his real-life counterpart, and his time in a reform school seems too much like a stay in summer camp (except, of course, for the obligatory escape attempt). Granted, there are some deviations from the standard movie ...more