After the surprise that was Sweet Country, I was all in for the next film from director Warwick Thornton. Just the sweeping scenery of Australia, which he captured so perfectly beforehand, was what I anticipated the most. That part didn’t disappoint, as Thornton crafts a bleak thriller, but is able to still bring in the beauty of the Australian landscapes. I just wish the rest of the movie had more energy.
Buy Sweet Country Blu-rayThe New Boy takes place in the mid-1940s and follows a young Aboriginal orphan (Aswan Reid) who is captured and taken to a remote monastery. This monastery is supposedly run by a male priest, but it’s actually Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett) who is in charge. She just makes it seem like the former leader is still alive, by forging his signatures.
The film takes an interesting, supernatural turn as the young orphan possesses an unknown supernatural power that he twiddles with in private. A kid of no words and no known background, he has trouble fitting in and the bullying becomes incessant. But the boy’s interest in religion and healing becomes stronger each day, and his power is used for a lot of good – such as healing animals. And yet, for all of the religious symbolism and approach it takes, it’s surprising that The New Boy comes up shockingly flat.
Reid is the standout here, given very little dialogue to work with and basing the performance solely on emotion and looks. It’s certainly a tough task for a young actor to pull off, but he does it exceptionally well. Blanchett, on the other hand, comes off as surprisingly dull. She’s been the star power in many features as of late and does well in villainy-type roles. But there’s nothing that comes out of Sister Eileen that is sinister or intriguing. It just feels rote.
The New Boy is, supposedly, inspired by Thornton’s upbringing, and one can feel a personal touch to the film. The imagery is haunting and lavish, and the coming-of-age approach is told fine. But I expected more than something routine and flat.
By the end, while I felt for Reid’s unnamed character, I couldn’t quite connect with the rest of the film. It’s beautifully filmed but narratively under-cooked.
The New Boy releases to theaters on May 23.
