-Written by Kyle Bain.
In this coming-of-age story, Jamie (Isaac Krasner) goes on a family camping trip. On that trip he begins to learn things about himself that he may not yet have known. Big Boys follows Jamie, his family, and his new crush as he embarks on a journey of self discovery. Big Boys is a touching tribute to childhood, and the innocence that comes with it.
Let’s be honest, not much about Big Boys is a surprise; nearly every bit of this film is predictable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Big Boys doesn’t give you too much to think about, and it allows viewers just to come along for the ride. By the end of the film all that I believed would happen, eventually did. Again, I’m not mad about that–that predictability allowed me to follow Jamie closely, understanding and appreciating his journey every step of the way.
Jamie is the most important character, and without a connection to him Big Boys fails to entertain, fails to find success. Much of the film’s success goes back to the simplicity of the storytelling. I formed a bond with Jamie. I was the awkward kid that didn’t know how to talk to girls when I was his age. I didn’t watch sports like most of my friends. I had hobbies that many other students in my class didn’t. There’s a bigger picture here, something that is meant to be the primary focus of Big Boys in regard to Jamie–but I won’t spoil that (if you watch the film you’ll figure it out soon enough). But it’s the little things about Jamie, about being the awkward teenager just trying to find his way that will allow him to resonate with viewers. There are bits of Krasner’s performance that are a tad odd, cheesy really. However, it seems that this is done intentionally–and even if it wasn’t intentional it works well for the film. With that, I have to give kudos to Krasner for being able to become this left-of-center child, effectively expressing his differences and all of what makes him tick from start to finish.
The simplicity continues with the filming locations. We quickly become immersed in the delicate but vast forest in which Jamie and his family find themselves camping. Again, everything works to force Jamie’s story to the forefront—and filming in simple locations helps that happen.
Big Boys uses everything to its advantage, leaving very few stones left unturned, exploring every bit of Jamie and the typical story of a teenager. Krasner is given every opportunity to shine throughout this film, and he takes advantage of each and every opportunity. Written well by Writer-Director Corey Sherman, Jamie is a likable character, one that shines from the start–and he’s effectively everyone’s way into Big Boys. Nothing incredible happens, not in the sense that Sherman uses frills to bring his story to life–but rather simplicity is the key to Jamie’s story, and the duo of Sherman and Krasner pull it off beautifully.
Written & Directed by Corey Sherman.
Starring Isaac Krasner, Dora Madison, David Johnson III, Taj Cross, Emily Deschanel, etc.
7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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