The Boys (1998 film)


The Boys is a 1998 Australian drama film directed by Rowan Woods. The screenplay by Stephen Sewell is based on the play by Gordon Graham, with Graham influenced by the 1986 murder of Anita Cobby, with the play first performed by Griffin Theatre Company under the direction of Alex Galeazzi.

Plot

After serving time in prison for an assault on a liquor store employee, Brett Sprague is released from prison and returns home to his two brothers and his and their girlfriends, mother and stepfather. Things have changed, and as Brett begins to drink his way through the day, he regains his "top-dog" position one argument at a time. This power trip gets Brett and his brothers united in rage against their girlfriends and mother, and they are involved in a heinous crime. The aftermath of the night unfolds through the story with flashforwards.

Cast

The Boys is Rowan Woods' directorial debut, and actor Peter Hehir's last film before he retired from acting. Woods "aimed to achieve a combination of documentary-style naturalism with the edge of a thriller." Woods also said that the first time he read the play, he felt "it was an Australian story that had to be told. This is the inside story of a family in crisis, of three boys on the day before a nasty crime takes place, of which they are accused."
The producer of the film, Robert Connolloy, had also produced the play. He met Rowan Woods at film school, and they both suggested to John Maynard they make the movie. The script was adapted by playwright Stephen Sewell.
Shooting was done on location in a rented house in Maroubra, one of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The location used to shoot the scene of the heinous crime was filmed at the Eastlakes Shopping Centre in Eastlakes, another eastern suburb.

Accolades

The original music score is composed by The Necks, with other music contributed by sound designer Alan Lamb.
AwardCategorySubjectResult
AACTA Awards
Best FilmRobert Connolly
AACTA Awards
Best FilmJohn Maynard
AACTA Awards
Best DirectionRowan Woods
AACTA Awards
Best Adapted ScreenplayStephen Sewell
AACTA Awards
Best ActorDavid Wenham
AACTA Awards
Best ActressLynette Curran
AACTA Awards
Best Supporting ActorJohn Polson
AACTA Awards
Best Supporting ActorAnthony Hayes
AACTA Awards
Best Supporting ActressToni Collette
AACTA Awards
Best CinematographyTristan Milani
AACTA Awards
Best EditingNick Meyers
AACTA Awards
Best Original Music ScoreThe Necks
AACTA Awards
Best SoundPeter Grace
AACTA Awards
Best SoundPhil Judd
AACTA Awards
Best SoundSam Petty
AACTA Awards
Best Costume DesignAnnie Marshall
ASSG AwardBest Location RecordingPeter Grace
ASSG AwardBest Location RecordingSerge Stanley
ASSG AwardBest Location RecordingMichael Taylor
Berlin International Film FestivalGolden BearRowan Woods
FCCA AwardsBest FilmRobert Connolly
FCCA AwardsBest FilmJohn Maynard
FCCA AwardsBest DirectorRoman Woods
FCCA AwardsReaders' Award for Favourite Australian FilmRoman Woods
FCCA AwardsBest Adapted ScreenplayStephen Sewell
FCCA AwardsBest ActorDavid Wenham
FCCA AwardsBest Supporting ActorJohn Polson
FCCA AwardsBest Supporting ActorAnthony Hayes
FCCA AwardsBest Supporting ActressToni Collette
FCCA AwardsBest Supporting ActressLynette Curran
FCCA AwardsBest CinematographyTristan Milani
FCCA AwardsBest Music ScoreThe Necks