385. Boys State; movie review

 

 

BOYS STATE

Cert 12A

109 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, references to bullying

How many documentaries have prompted a mini-cheer during the past decade of everyfilm?

Well, Boys State did. And we really didn't expect it to pull on our emotions.

Initially, we believed this would merely be a quirky glance at the American youth being stereotypically full-of-themselves.

Instead, we found surprising political awareness, the skilful art of garnering support and the rise of the underdog.

In some ways, it gave us hope for a country which, in recent times, has seemed devoid of it to those of us on the outside.

Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine's film follows several teenage boys as they try to make their mark at the Texas Boys State.

During a residential week, the youngsters apply for positions in what is effectively a youth parliament which mirrors state politics.

The climax is a vote for the Boys State governor, a role filled in the past by many teenagers who went on to be household names.

The boys (there is also a girls state) are split into two parties, federalists and nationalists and have to work out strategies which will lead them to select the right candidate and then beat the opposition.

We were particularly taken with Steven Garza, a young man with big ambitions but who initially appeared to find it difficult to make friends.

Indeed, when he arrived at camp, he prompted memories of our children's first days at a new school.

However, Steven's quiet but devastatingly presented intelligence gradually wins people over.

Meanwhile, very different characters also emerge such as the cocky lad with military ambitions who learns humility and the flamboyant speaker who has to handle dissent.

It is a microcosm for how young people believe politics to be run and how the young make relationships with each other.

The discoveries they make are illuminating, sometimes sobering and occasionally joyous.

We loved Boys State and it gave us unexpected confidence in the future.

Reasons to watch: A fascinating insight into youth politics in America

Reasons to avoid: High concentration or background knowledge required

Laughs: One

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? The first Boys State programme was founded in 1935 in Illinois by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps.

The final word. Amanda McBaine: "Neither Jesse nor I had been to either Girls or Boys State ourselves when we were younger, so we didn’t know quite what to expect once the program got going and the first day was a set of Powerpoint presentations from the counsellors to the kids that was very boring. It really did feel like we were in trouble, but then the counsellors give the authority over to the kids and anarchy (prevailed)…" The Moveable Fest

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