An excellent story with superior performances, The True Adventures of Wolfboy opens this weekend on Digital HD and Video On Demand. It’s a coming of age drama that deals with life and the difficulties centering on acceptance for one’s afflictions. The acting is very good, direction excellent and the production value without flaws. Although it’s about teens, some of the content may be a bit over-the-top for immature youngsters.
The film opens with Paul (Jaeden Martell), a hairy faced teen, getting bullied by some local boys at a carnival. His father tells him about Bishop Griffins academy where he can go to school with other kids who have been afflicted in some way. He feels he doesn’t want to meet people like him as he hates himself. After a disagreement involving his mother who left the family after he was born, Paul decides to leave home in search of her.
Awaking one morning on a carnival grounds, he meets the owner Mr. Silk (John Turturro) and he welcomes Paul. He offers him a job at the carnival as an attraction with a stage name of Dog Boy. After some coaching, he puts him in a cage and a line forms to see the oddity. So begins a challenge for Paul to escape and find his way in the world even if it means destroying things around him.
Throughout his journey he meets a number of characters while avoiding the wrath of Silk including Aristiana (Sophie Giannamore) who for him resembles a mermaid. She teaches him to be friendly to other afflicted people at a bar where he meets Rose (Eve Hewson) who wears an eye patch. The odd teen trio become his guides and life teachers as they go on the road to find Paul’s mom.
The coming of age story is a very good one since it not only shows Paul’s view of his new world beyond his father’s house, but that all persons has some form of affliction and dealing with it can be overcome. Director Martin Krejci does a terrific job of visualizing Olivia Dufault’s screenplay. Using issues that are pointed and poignant Krejci takes Paul through a maze of difficulties that force him make difficult decisions, most of which propel him to face his fears and accept his affliction.
The cast gives excellent performances all around with a standout job by Sophie Giannamore in the pivotal role of Aristiana. It’s her first motion picture for the screen and she nails her character. It’s Aristiana that controls most of the momentum in the film as she helps Paul reach his goal.
As Rose the feisty teen that causes the trio to go on the run from the police, Eve Hewson makes her character a winner. Rose lives a carefree life, but her penchant for danger finds her taking chances with her wild ideas, daring decisions and uncontrollable personality. Although it plays out well on the screen, however there were no repercussions for her character’s wicked behavior.
The True Adventures of Wolfboy has been rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, drinking, some strong language, sexual references and violence – all involving teens. Although the subject matter is worth a watch by adolescents 13 and above, it may be a bit too strong on the “coming of age” theme.
For adults the film is a winner all around and worthy of praise. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Jaeden Martell, Chris Messina, Eve Hewson, Michelle Wilson, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sophie Giannamore, Chloë Sevigny, John Turturro
Directed and written by:
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic content, drinking, some strong language, sexual references and violence – all involving teens.
Running Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Opening Date: October 30. 2020
Distributed by: Vertical
Released in: VOD, Digital
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
