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Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys “And first-time director Peter Care pulls a remarkable turn from Emile Hirsch as Francis.”—Erica Abeel, Film Journal International “Hirsch and Culkin, who are excellent, pretty much have the same roles that Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch played in Ghost World, only gender-reversed.” “Culkin, always good, finally has his breakthrough role here, while Hirsch emerges as a young actor to watch.”—Joe Baltake, The Sacramento Bee “As Francis, Emile Hirsch gives a nice, low-key performance that is in keeping with a generally serious-minded boy who is being led astray by a prankster friend. Kieran Culkin, probably best known for his role in The Cider House Rules, is a perfect fit for Tim.”—James Berardinelli, ReelViews “Newcomer Hirsch becomes the audience's surrogate, drawing us into his dilemma about becoming his own man and abandoning Culkin, who eventually makes it clear it's the girl or their friendship.”—Rob Blackwelder, SplicedWire “Malone and Hirsch show nicely how awkward love can be at that age.”—Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register “Kieran Culkin and newcomer Emile Hirsch (making a strong debut) portray Tim and Francis, two Catholic high school boys who spend most of their time alternating between drawing superhero comic strips and tormenting their teacher, the strict Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster).” – Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing “The real triumph of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is the tender and touching performance by Emile Hirsch as Francis, a teenager who feels things deeply. During one very intense period in his life, he is trying desperately to come to terms with eros, rebellion, anger, pride, and creativity. In the end, his mettle is tested when he is forced to deal with a tragedy growing out of one of his adventures with Tim.”—Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Health “Care is aptly named for his direction of the young players, in particular for culling engaging turns from Emile Hirsch and Kieran Culkin as the focal altar boys.”—Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter “As the focal point of the movie, Emile Hirsch is superlative as Francis. He hits the full range of his character's emotions, and gives you a protagonist who is easy to identify with.”—Warren Curry, Filmcritic.com “But what it does best is portray what boys are like when they are thirteen, and why so many of us never get over that. Culkin (as the pocket genius of the group) and Hirsch (as the brooding, artistic type) do a wonderful job in showing the audience what it is like to be thirteen in America. We hear the silly, pointed insults, deal with the awkwardness of being around girls, explore the mysteries of beer and comic books, and sit in on the laconic conversations about not much at all.”—Curtis Edmonds, TX Reviews “The character of Francis, portrayed by newcomer Hirsch in an effortlessly natural performance, is perhaps the most sensitively drawn teenager in recent memory.”—Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine “Emile Hirsch is a find as Francis: sensitive, insecure and funny.”—Marshall Fine, The Journal News “The second comes courtesy of Hirsch, whose love-struck lad is heartrendingly touching. When Francis says to the object of his affection, "When you look at me, I can hardly breathe," the kid isn't kidding -- he's telling her a literal fact, speaking a 14-year-old's gospel truth and reminding us of its delicious purity.”—Rick Groen, Globe and Mail “And as Francis, Hirsch makes an appealing, less-than-debonair love interest as he fights boyish immaturity to appreciate Margie. Does he take this tiger by the tail, he wonders, or let it go?”—Desson Howe, Washington Post “Emile Hirsch plays Francis as a much more introspective, apparently always “chill” dude, but there’s much going on behind those eyes, especially when he’s with Jena Malone’s Margie.”—Kevin LaForest, Montreal Film Journal “Hirsch making a major moody impression as Francis.”—Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press “Hirsch shows the boy's mix of befuddlement, outrage and affection for the girl. The actor exudes a winning naturalness in his film debut. By contrast, the more experienced Culkin ("The Cider House Rules") and Malone ("Stepmom") are almost too accomplished. Hirsch comes off as a real kid; the other two seem like actors playing kids.”—Carla Meyer, San Francisco Journal “When you've got young actors as compelling as Malone, Hirsch and Culkin on the screen, that's all you want to focus on. What's in Culkin's eyes alone — the mixture of mischief, pain and true friendship — would be, on its own, enough to keep us occupied. Throw in Hirsch's magnetic presence and the ease with which he conveys Francis' turmoil, and there's really no need to include a device like this.”—Mary F. Pols, Contra Costa Times Dangerous Lives Page 2 The Emperor's Club The Mudge Boy The Girl Next Door Page 1 The Girl Next Door Page 2 The Girl Next Door Page 3 |
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