Boy A

[LaDiDaDi]

Just watched this on Channel 4. Thought it was very moving and the best drama that I've seen in ages.

[roisin]

Whoah. That was a bit grim, wasn't it?
The psychology was fascinating and gripping.

I just kept saying "Don't tell them".

The ending was great (I'm a Hardy-gal myself: can't stand happy endings). I howled when his mates listened to the messages on their phones.

The editing/producing was great too - what they showed and what they chose to leave off-shot; what was clarified and what was left unclear.

I agree: very moving and great drama.

[LaDiDaDi]

Yes, I cried too.

I thought that the lead did a really good job of portaying a young man who was not only a bit messed up by his experiences (understatement of the year perhaps) but also someone who was quite naive and immature for his years.

BAFTAs all round surely?

[PaulaYatesbiggestfan]

yes best drama in ages - not a good trailer though i debated whether to watch it but great
gritty earthy performances all round (especially Terry) well done c4

[Marina]

It was widely recommended - difficult viewing but beautifully done
Peter Mullan is a genius, the whole cast was wonderful

[vitomum]

yes i wasn't going to watch either but then saw peter mullan was in it, who marina has correctly identified as a genius. i agree that the whole cast was amazing and i am stilll thinking about the ishoooos it brought up this morning. i am puzzled by why they chose to make the victim a less than completely sympathetic character though. Perhaps slightly clumsy way of reinforcing that this was not about James Bulger and that it was OK for us viewers to feel sympathy with the perpetrators?

[ConnorTraceptive]

How did it end?I was to tired to watch the last 45 mins

[vitomum]

the press found out who he was and everyone turned their back on him. then it turned out that it was peter mullan's son who had grassed him cos he was jealous. It ended with Jack at the end of blackpool pier and everyone getting his goodbye messagges on their voicemails

[Marina]

I feel desolate about that ending this morning vitomum, I'm haunted by that final shot
It was such a persuasive tribute to the possibilities of rehabilitation and redemption
But I suspect not all youngsters have access to a Probation Officer of Peter Mullan's calibre and availability

[ConnorTraceptive]

[ArcticRoll]

A very moving and beautifully acted drama.

Apparently an episode in Jimmy McGovern's The Street is also going to be dealing with similar storyline.

[LaDiDaDi]

Vitomum, I thought it was to emphasise that just as the boy's wren't "evil" nor was their victim angelic though neither of these facts diminshed the horror of the crime.

I like The Street too. Has the gay builder episode been shown yet?

[ArcticRoll]

It was shown last week.

[vitomum]

mmm, good point ladidadi.

agree too marina. but so sad that they remained only that - possibilities.

[ElasticAnimal]

had hgh ratins from guardian.
but was very good tv.

only saw half of the street unfr#otuantely about gay builder.