The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys Movie Review 2002

Don't let the title keep you away from this innovative coming-of-ager set in the '70s. Rebellious Catholic schoolmates Francis (Hirsch) and Tim (Culkin) seek love and chaos, respectively, while attending St. Agatha Parochial school, run by iron-fisted, wooden-legged nun Foster and hard-drinking priest D'Onofrio. While Francis falls for a girl with a secret past (Malone), Tim fantasizes about staging a coup against the sadistic Sister. The boys channel their boredom into increasingly dangerous pranks and a sacrilegious comic book called "The Atomic Trinity," which stars motorcycle-riding witch Nunzilla (Foster's nun rides a moped). Inventive directorial debut by Care with animated fantasy segments deftly directed by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. Based on the 1994 novel by Chris Fuhrman.

Distribution

ThinkFilm, 155 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Fl., New York, NY 10013, Phone: (646)293-9400

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 105 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Nuns & Priests, Period Piece: 1970s, Teen Angst, Coming of Age, School Daze, Comic Books, Catholic School

Screenplay

Jeff Stockwell, Michael Petroni

Cast

Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Richardson, Tyler Long

Cinematography

Lance Acord

Director

Peter Care

Music

Marco Beltrami, Joshua Homme

Other

Carl Rudisill, Chris Peppe, Marie France, Gideon Ponte, Todd McFarlane

Producer

Jodie Foster, Meg LeFauve, Jay Shapiro, Egg Pictures, Trilogy Entertainment Group, Initial Entertainment Group, ThinkFilm

Awards

Ind. Spirit 2003: First Feature.