One night, the legend arrives in a cloud of dust. Alamein pulls up in a beat-up car with his "gang," the (which consists of only two other guys). Boy is ecstatic, believing his hero has finally come to take him to see the world. The Reality of a "Man-Child"
In 1984, on the sun-drenched East Coast of New Zealand, 11-year-old (Alamein Jr.) lives in a world built of vibrant imagination and Michael Jackson dance moves. While his grandmother is away, Boy is the "man of the house" on their small farm, looking after his younger brother Rocky —who quietly believes he has dangerous superpowers—and a handful of cousins. The Hero Legend Boy (2010)
: Eager to please, Boy starts dressing like his dad and acting like a "tough guy," pushing away his friends to help with the "important work" of finding the treasure. One night, the legend arrives in a cloud of dust
In the end, Boy stops trying to be his father’s "soldier" and starts being a big brother again. The film closes with a famous, high-energy —a blend of Maori culture and 80s pop—symbolizing the messy, beautiful way Boy has finally integrated his heritage with his dreams. The Reality of a "Man-Child" In 1984, on
: After Alamein accidentally kills Boy's pet goat and fails to find the money (which Boy actually found and hid, only for it to be ruined), the illusion of the "hero dad" finally shatters. Growing Up
Boy’s world is centered on the legend of his absent father, . In Boy's mind, his dad is a samurai, a deep-sea treasure hunter, and a close personal friend of Michael Jackson. The reality is far grimmer: Alamein has been in prison for robbery.
Watch how Boy's vibrant imagination brings his hero-version of his father to life in this clip: New Zealand Film Commission YouTube• Feb 10, 2010 If you're interested, I can also: