Heaven Help Us

I have an English vhs of this and it goes by the title of Catholic Boys over here, I was surprised to see this was not available and dvd format, as it is one of those memorable 80's teen films. This is actually dubbed 'Animal House gets religious' on the video case, I think it couldn't be more wrong, although it does have its similarities, Catholic Boys has a real sensible feel to it, it also has its very funny moments, and a fantastic young cast. This is one of those films with lots of familiar faces who seemed to have vanished, Andrew McCarthy, Kevin Dillon, Patrick Dempsey and Malcom Danare, are all quite unknown figures nowadays, although their performances in this make you think they would have had their careers set up for life.

The great cast really sets the tone and their is a real togetherness from them, especially when the sadistic(?) brother Constance tries to get his way, it all comes good in the end and the movie left me very satisfied in the end, watch out for Stephen Geofferies character Williams who is always masturbating at every chance he gets, it seems fitting that he is now a star of the gay porn industry! I'd like to see this on dvd and even a comeback for the excellent Andrew McCarthy, and Kevin Dillon!

This gentle, warm comedy set in a Catholic school in New York in 1965 seems to have been overlooked for a longtime. Maybe it got lost amongst the so called 'Brat Pack' movies of the mid eighties or maybe the name change to 'Catholic Boys' for it's UK release didn't help it's recognition. This is certainly a hidden gem with plenty of funny lines from Rooney (Dillon) and a nice understated romance between Michael (McCarthy) and Danni (Masterson) that doesn't get in the way of the plot.However most terrifying are the Brothers presence and their interpertation of the catholic religion. If their is a longer director's cut I would definatly like to see it on DVD. This film is certainly well worth a look at.

I attended Catholic school for several years. While it wasn't as bad as what was depicted in this film I found it borderline unpleasant for the most part. It's not to say priests and brothers weren't nice, it just wasn't my thing.

I've always liked Andrew McCarthy and he did real well here in one of his first major roles. I believe his grandparents wanted him to become a priest but hormones, school, classmates, crushes, and overall the human condition get in the way. It's what I remember this film revolving around .

Many hilarious moments in this film.

While I can't comment on the accuracy in which the "Catholic School for Boys" is depicted in this movie, having once been a teenage boy, I can attest to having known (or been) a kid who is represented by nearly every character in the movie. I identified most with Andrew McCarthy's character, but saw a little of myself in many of the other kids.

The movie is at times funny, touching, and intense. I believe it has been largely forgotten and was ignored even in its initial run. It is vastly underrated, and if you happen across it in the TV Guide or in the older titles at the video store, it is worth two hours of your life. Recommended.

I have never been able to pinpoint why, but, this has been one of my favorite movies since I was a little boy. I loved it the first time I saw it and it has resonated stronger as I have gotten older and appreciate movies more. All if us as teenage boys, in our own way, deal with the excitement of falling for the first time, the heartbreak of losing it for reasons beyond your control and the friends that surround you while you are dealing with it. We all have friends like Rooney, the arrogant, insecure bully type, Corbett, the quiet one who just kind of comes along with everything and doesn't complain, Williams, the pervert and Ceasar, the socially awkward nerd. Jay Patterson as Brother Constance is so good and believable as the nightmare teacher who is not equipped to teach young men at any time, let alone the mid 60's. The scene with Dunn and Danni on the boardwalk is one of my favorite scenes in movie history. It resonates emotionally for me to this day. It is also how a young boy discovered Otis Redding.