The New Boy

It's 1940's in the Australian outback. An Aboriginal boy is captured by the police and sent to an orphanage run by Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett). Everybody is hiding the fact that the priest who is supposed to be running the place, is in fact dead.

The movie is definitely trying to do something interesting. I applaud the attempt. I don't know if it's actually a good movie. It starts with a bang and then it becomes a murky flight of spirituality and identity. I like the kid and one can't do much better than Cate Blanchett. It's worth a try to see this once if you can stay with it all the way to the end. I won't be seeing it again.

I declare misled. I saw the trailer, I learned that Blanchett is playing in the lead-role (although lately I have been disappointed by her choices...) and finally I read the reviews of some ''objective'' imdb - critics of the film. And they tricked me. Reviews deify an idiocy that lasts almost two hours. They are singing the praises of a sleazeball shot in the desert, with a dark-haired kid with odd-colored hair playing the beastly guy from the Green Mile.... Blanchett is a nun who cannot digest that the strange little boy works miracles. The curious little guy also does incomprehensible nonsense, though. And time goes by, and nothing happens. But the reviews are exciting because...who knows? Boredom! Be objective, guys! The scores of 10/10 for this &''film'' is madness.

An aboriginal boy is taken from his home and dumped at a remote church school in 1940s Australia. The new boy impresses his classmates and instructors by taking the adversity in stride, showing empathy, sharing instead of taking, and working some magic in order to heal others from their wounds.

I loved Warwick Thornton's previous film Sweet Country, and enjoyed the gorgeous images here of the wheat fields in the twilight, but even Cate Blanchett the nun can't resurrect such a weak script and thin plot line. The entire film should be compacted into five minutes and audiences will be thankful for it. I sympathize with the film's anticolonial theme and appreciate that it is generally uplifting and positive, but c'mon, let's have an interesting conversation somewhere along the line! North American premiere seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.

If you're looking for a film that will transport you to a different time and place, challenge your assumptions, and touch your emotions, look no further than "The New Boy". This Australian drama, written and directed by Warwick Thornton, is a stunning cinematic achievement exploring colonialism, religion, identity, and resilience.

The film is set in 1940s Australia, where a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy (Aswan Reid) is taken in at a remote monastery run by a renegade nun (Cate Blanchett). His arrival disturbs the delicate balance of the place, where other Aboriginal children are taught to assimilate into the white culture and forget their roots. The boy, who has no name, is mute and mysterious and seems to have supernatural abilities that attract curiosity and fear. He forms a bond with Sister Eileen, who sees something special in him and tries to protect him from the world's harsh realities.

The cinematography by Thornton is breathtaking, capturing the beauty and harshness of the Australian landscape. The film uses natural light and minimal dialogue to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere. The score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis is haunting and evocative, enhancing the mood and tension.

The performances are also outstanding, especially by the young Aswan Reid, who conveys so much emotion and depth with his eyes and gestures. He is a revelation, and his chemistry with Cate Blanchett is palpable. Blanchett delivers another masterful performance as Sister Eileen, a complex and conflicted character struggling with her faith, duty, and compassion. Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair are also excellent as the other nuns with different views on dealing with the boy.

The New Boy is not a conventional or easy film to watch. It's slow-paced, subtle, and ambiguous. It doesn't shy away from the brutality and injustice of the colonial system, nor does it offer easy answers or resolutions. It challenged me to think and feel, to question and empathise.

"The New Boy" is a powerful and poetic film. It has stayed with me since seeing it. Check it out if you want to see something different, profound, and thought-provoking.

Full of wonder and careful consideration. Gently handled with lots of space. Nothing gets rammed home here. Warwick is one of Australia's clearest cinematic voices today, and his love for story and the craft shows in every single frame. The composition is always interesting, and the light beautifully natural. South Australia puts it's outback colours on full display. In one tiny location, the world feels vast and magical. The cast performances are all superb. Warwick is definitely of the school "show, don't tell" of which he is quickly becoming a master. One day I would love to be crew on one of his productions, and watch the man at work.