Director: Rowan Woods Screenplay - Stephen Sewell (from the play by Gordon Graham) Brett - David Wenham Michelle - Toni Collette Sandra - Lynette Curran Glenn - John Polson Jackie - Jeanette Cronin Stevie -Anthony Hayes Nola - Anna Lise Abo - Pete Smith

"The Boys" tells the story of the twenty-four hours leading up to a violent crime. The crime itself is never seen, but is none the less horrifying - I dare anyone who has seen the film to stand alone at a bus stop at night and fail to flag down that passing taxi!!!

Brett Sprague has just been released from prison after serving time for assault with a deadly weapon and grievous bodily harm. He returns to find things changed - one brother has moved out with his girlfriend, the pregnant girlfriend of the other has moved in to live with the family and his mother has a new, black boyfriend. Brett's previous position of power as the eldest has been undermined by these changes and he immediately sets about reasserting his influence.

The family gather to welcome Brett home and from the very first the underlying tensions are apparent. It soon becomes clear that Brett is feared as much, if not more, than he is loved. As he starts re-claiming control over his brothers, the booze flows and the drugs are added to the potent mixture. Things begin to fall apart and the tension builds, intensified by flash forwards to the consequences of the crime.

The performances are uniformly superb. David Wenham's Brett is a complex character, a man of intelligence and even insight who manipulates all those around him; he persuades equally effectively with gentle words of concern and appeals to family loyalty, as with violent and vicious put-downs. As a viewer you are equally fascinated and repelled by him.

There is a particularly compelling moment towards the end of the film when Brett sits quietly behind his two brothers in the car, watching each in turn as drunk and high on speed they argue over a possible target for their anger and resentment. Brett appears strangely sober and looks for all the world like an evil puppetmaster delighting in the mayhem he is creating.

The world we are shown is that of the boys and their women have little power and no ability to influence them once they get together. Lynette Curran as, Sandra, gives a moving performance as a mother striving against the odds to protect her boys from others and from themselves, struggling with her love for her sons and her growing revulsion at the escalating violence around her.

As Brett's girlfriend Michelle, you will see Toni Collette as you have never seen her before. No longer the uncertain, ugly duckling of "Muriel's Wedding", in this film she portrays a tough young woman who seeks to give as good as she gets.

The Music by the Necks is used sparingly but effectively to underline the mood and works with the cinematography and the editing to heighten the growing tension.

This is a strong, confronting and disturbing film, a psycho drama/thriller which may be enjoyed for the power of its performances and the way in which the various elements of film combine to create a powerful emotional impact.

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