Hi everyone!
Today we’ll have the first of four Certified Fresh films in theaters right now, a R-rated shock comedy about sixth graders having insane adventures that forty-somethings like myself wish we had had at that age. For a couple other films that fit this same narrow genre, check out the absolutely incredible “Booksmart” (Episode #504), our recent re-run of “Eighth Grade” (Episode #539), and “Rim of the World” (Episode #506).
Before the review, we’ll have a promo from our friends at the Grief Burrito podcast. Every week or so, Harrison and Jordan wrap up the latest in games, films, technology, science, and weirdness into a tortilla of a podcast, then share it with you for an hour or so. Check out their latest episode in their Spooky Burrito series, covering The Enfield Poltergeist. You can catch them on Twitter and Instagram @GriefBurrito, and by searching on Facebook for Grief Burrito. Don’t miss a single episode!
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Here we go!
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Today’s movie is “Good Boys”, the R-rated tween comedy directed by Gene Stupnitsky and written for the screen in collaboration with Lee Eisenberg. The film follows Max (Jacob Tremblay), Lucas (Keith L. Williams), and Thor (Brady Noon), who get invited to their first kissing party. While spying on their neighbor to learn how to kiss, an expensive drone is destroyed, and the trio must replace it before Max’s father returns home.
No spoilers.
I applaud parents who don’t place artificial limits on content with their older children. Despite the magic of smartphone technology, I knew when I gave my daughter her phone that she would have access to the entire Internet, or would find a way to get to all the world’s content. It made more sense to simply talk to her about what was available, and after one or two uncomfortable movie viewings, we’ve mostly made peace with dealing with adult content. Most of the time. Sometimes there’s enough to make me squirm anyway!
Which is why I applauded the cool parents who brought their tween male children to the theater for a viewing of “Good Boys”. However, I wasn’t too happy that they sat apart from their parents at the theater, and as fate would have it, right next to me. I loved the movie, and will stand by my review, but I honestly had a difficult time watching the movie. Do I laugh at the expensively realistic sex doll scenes? Should I be making encouraging remarks regarding the drug use in the films? Do I laugh at how they treat drinking beer? How grossed out am I allowed to be without looking like a total wimp? I mean, this is One Movie Punch. We’ve got a reputation to keep!
“Good Boys” is essentially a film made by forty-somethings featuring sixth graders taking actions and making decisions they would find funny. Eisenberg and Stupnitsky do a great job turning a relatively mundane sequence of events into a hilarious, high stakes adventure, at least from the perspective of the Bean Bag Boys. All three main characters, plus much of the supporting cast, are well developed, with enough story to place them into each scene in mostly plausible ways. And it’s funny. I spent a good chunk of the film laughing, from the beginning and all the way through their three primary adventures, and a hilarious closing montage/epilogue.
I think what I appreciated most was seeing glimpses of how young men their age might see this world we live in, with absolutely no content restrictions, and still see them as plausible moral actors. Because this film is also surprisingly woke. Women were always treated with respect, or at least with the same respect they show the young men. Consent is a huge factor in any sexual situation or theme. And all three actually take turns admonishing one another for stepping out of line, not just with women, but with all protected classes. It’s really nice to see young men understand basic concepts instead of always being shown as forgivable heathens.
However, when it comes to portraying sixth graders in humorous situations, there’s only so much you can do with the concept. “Good Boys” keeps a very light tone throughout the picture, never taking itself too seriously, which is perfect for a shock comedy. It also means, however, that we can only develop so much of a relationship with the characters, who are clearly there to amuse us. For instance, we find out early on that Lucas’ parents are divorcing, but it’s mostly treated as a vehicle for delivering both backstory and comedy.
By contrast, two recent female-driven films were able to split that difference very well. “Booksmart” was a perfect blend of R-rated shock comedy and coming-of-age story, something that I think is more feasible with a story about high school seniors than sixth grade boys. Last year’s “Eighth Grade” was a similarly perfect blend, leaning a bit more into the drama side, and delivering a funny and heartwarming experience. “Good Boys”, for all its potential, also limits itself to a film about young boys swearing and doing things outside the MPAA ratings for their age while not violating any laws. It definitely works, and you’re going to laugh, but you’re also not going to connect to the characters, and that’s not enough to push it into the same echelon.
“Good Boys” is an adventure comedy about three sixth graders learning an awful lot about their world. Stupnitsky and Eisenberg craft a hilarious concept piece that explores the new lines of good taste when it comes to humor involving children, but often at the expense of being able to relate to the characters. Shock comedy fans, or anyone dealing with the drama of raising tween boys, should definitely check out this film. But maybe have them sit next to you, hey?
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% (CERTIFIED FRESH)
Metacritic: 60
One Movie Punch: 7.7/10
“Good Boys” (2019) is rated R and is currently playing in theaters.
