The Boondock Saints
Amazon.co.uk Review
With the advent of satellite broadcasting resurrecting the art of the TV movie, films like the invigorating The Boondock Saints are becoming more frequent. Made for Sky, the movie eschews big-screen production values but is still good value for money. Although the story of two Irish-American brothers who set out on a believed divine mission to wipe out the worst of the criminal element of Boston at times seems like an imitation of the superb Dogma, both films were actually made in the same year. The film is not without its faults, notably the poor performances of Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as the two brothers–both of whom adopt ludicrous Irish accents. Far better is Willem Dafoe, who steals the show as FBI agent Smecker, and the manic David Della Rocco. Still, The Boondock Saints is highly watchable and keeps the viewer interested throughout with a strong story, frequent black humour and arresting visuals. And there aren’t many places where you will come across Billy Connolly as a Mafia contract killer. –Phil Udell
I am not one for gangster films, so when I was introduced to The Boondock Saints I was skeptical. I don’t really have the stomach for violence and mafia-base storylines don’t often interest me. However, I was instantly sucked into the underground world of Connor and Murphy. I felt the story was touching, as well as incredibly funny. There was a clever balance of humour with tension. Defoe was stunning, his characters explosive instability was intellectual as well as entertaining. Yes, I will admit, the accents did slip but the well thoughtout fight scenes, brilliant soundtrack choices and carefully crafted dialogue took focus away from the flaws and enhanced the greatness of this film. As someone has already mentioned, it parallels quite closely to Dogma – however, I feel it out does Dogma in both humour and excitement. I loved this film and have no quarms in watching it time and time again. It was recommended to me by an american teenaged boy, and now I, as a twenty-one year old english girl, am recommending it to everyone else. Because it is just that good.
Rating: 5 / 5
A film I’ve watched and will watch over and over again. Perhaps it’s not politically correct in this age of concern over religious fundamentalism, but since the targets of these ‘saints’ are *only* murderous criminals, that’s okay. It involves two brothers (like in the Blues Brothers). They’re catholics (like the Blues Brothers). They dress mainly in black and wear dark glasses (like the Blues Brothers) and they appear to be on a mission from god (like … well you get the picture). Only they don’t wear hats or sing and they do kill quite a lot of bad men. These boys are, in fact, just your average, run of the mill, multi-lingual, tattooed, Irish immigrant vigilantes in a city full of organised crime that the legal system is not managing to control. The police are their biggest fans – especially the camp FBI guy (Willem Dafoe) – and by the end of the film, have-a-go members of the public want teams of ‘saints’ operating in every major city.
It’s funny and even moving occasionally. The acting is good (good enough for me anyway). The pretend Irish accents alone, are enough to cheer me up on a bad day. Billy Connolly, the boys’ long-lost “da”, appears in the second half of the film, having spent the past 25 years locked up in paranoid-level security conditions that would make Hannibal Lecter’s conditions of incarceration seem liberal and humane. He plays a sort of sword-of-god, gun-slinger, carrying a huge arsenal. Considering that most people tend to think of him as a comedian and musician, he does “sinister, death-dealing, god-botherer” very well indeed.
This film may carry a message about self-help justice. If that’s political, fortunately for me, I’m not sufficiently politically aware to let it spoil my enjoyment. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Boondock Saints is one of Film’s best kept secrets. Its an amazing film with a gripping plot which is laced with humour and suspense.
Fantastic performances from all of the cast, and well worth getting on DVD because you’ll enjoy this film every time you watch it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Have to say, this is my favorite movie of all time. Really good action sequences and great humor. What else could you want?
Rating: 5 / 5
I am rather shocked by the negative feelings this movie generates. Sure there is plenty of violence and swearing, but it’s all in good fun. All too often I am disappointed in movies that come from my home country but this one revived my faith in American cinema. Maybe the bad comments about this movie reflect a lack of understanding of American humor. However, bad reviews aside, The Boondock Saints is an American classic. I saw this movie in high school and it has been a favorite ever since. Everyone I know loves this movie and can quote all the best lines. The accents may be terrible (I can’t really comment on the Irish accents) but overall the acting is good, especially Willem Dafoe as a sketchy FBI agent who eventually teams up with the brothers on their quest to purge the mean streets of Boston of crime. If you watch no other American action movie, watch the Boondock Saints.
Rating: 5 / 5