Dallas Film Festival ’11: Boy Wonder Review

My first screening at the Dallas International Film Festival left me craving for more. I had the privileged of viewing Boy Wonder with both the director, Michael Morrissey and leading actor, Caleb Steinmeyer (HBO’s True Blood, ABC’s LOST).

From Boy Wonder Production:

“In this riveting and gritty psychological-thriller, a young Brooklyn boy witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and grows up obsessed with finding her killer. Thus begins his life as a quiet, straight-A student by day and a self-appointed hero at night. But what is a real hero? And who decides what is right or wrong? As the boundaries blur, Sean’s dual life wears on his psyche and his two worlds careen dangerously close to colliding. Like a graphic novel you can’t put down, Boy Wonder challenges morality, distorting perceptions of what is right and what is justified, as it races to its shocking conclusion.”

Also in the film: Zulay Henao (Fighting, S. Darko, Feel the Noise), Bill Sage (Handsome Harry, 2010 Best Picture-nominee Precious, If Lucy Fell), James Russo (Public Enemies, Extremities) and Tracy Middendorf (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire)

I will say after reading the press releases and talking with a few people associated with the film, I was very anxious to see this feature. I went into it thinking it would be something along the lines of Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass, however it was far from it and I was very pleased. The film really shouldn’t be labeled as a superhero film like some have been saying. It’s more along the lines of a vigilante who takes out the bottom feeders of New York while trying to find his mother’s killer.

As far as the cinematography, I will give it acceptable marks. I really enjoyed the gritty and darkness of the film along with the shot’s of Sean having difficulties with reality and imaginary. The film keeps you guessing and you don’t really know where the film is going to turn next. It was very refreshing to see an original concept and to still have a twist at the end that I did not see coming thanks to the clever editing techniques by Douglas Fitch.

Boy Wonder will keep you on the edge of your seat and will take you on a psychological ride that you don’t want to get off. Steinmeyer does an amazing job as the socially awkward and quiet Sean Donovan and I hope to see him in many more roles in the future. I strongly recommend the film to anyone who is able to see it at a festival. I’m not sure if the film has been picked up for distribution, but I really hope it does even if it’s a limited release.

Rating: A psychological new approach to a vigilante film (8/10)