Boy Wonder and Finding Justice the Ol' Fashioned Way: A Movie Review

Director/writer: Michael Morrissey.

Cast: James Russo, Tracy Middendorf, Caleb Steinmeyer and Zulay Henao.

Boy Wonder is an award winning film from first time director Michael Morrissey. The film deals with revenge and one monstrous Oedipus complex experienced by the protagonist, Sean. A revenge thriller at its heart, Boy Wonder is a violent film with a complex psychology. Flying by at a quick clip this film is over quickly and very evocative.

The protagonist is Sean a young high school student. He suffers from flashbacks after witnessing his mother's murder ten years previous. Now, he seeks her killer at the local New York police department where he scans pages of mugshots. Hounded by Det. Ames (Zulay Henao) to let her go, Sean (Caleb Steinmeyer) takes to the streets to find a justice outside of "due process." Meanwhile, his father may or may not have been complicit in Mary's (Tracy Middendorf) murder.

The characters are what make this film great. Sean plays an introverted kid during the day, but a vigilante at night. His duplicity haunts him throughout the film. His father, Terry (Bill Sage), is a recovering alcoholic who is trying to deal with his own grief. His short temper could hint that he is in fact a killer or that he has the potential to act violently. Det. Ames is the new sheriff in town and her questioning of Sean and others leads to some pretty disturbing answers. Finally, Det. Stenson (Daniel Stewart Sherman) plays the comic relief in all of this serious drama. He is a closet racist and sexist individual who takes pleasure in ribbing his partner Ames. He is often the comedic eye in this sometimes overly serious storm.

Boy Wonder uses Freud's Oedipus complex in the latter parts of the film as Sean prepares to do away with his father. Is he justified in wanting his father's death or is he simply suffering from the pain of losing his mother? The answer to this question can only be answered by the viewer as the conclusion leaves some questions unanswered. Sean believes he is right and some of the flashbacks also support his belief. However, memory is a tricky element which can easily be distorted, especially at a young age.

This film is provocative and full of high stakes drama. Fans of revenge thrillers will find plenty of interest here. As well, some reviews have compared this film to Kick Ass, Super (DVD Verdict) and others. Really, the film here is much darker than those and more complex. And really Michael Morrissey's look at a father and son relationship is more noteworthy in this film and almost forgotten in the others. In the end, this is a film that needs to be seen to enjoy its true merit. Director Morrissey has used his literary background to create some very remarkable and memorable characters in this exceptional piece.

Overall: 8 out of 10 (a great script, fast pace, open ending).

*released on DVD November 8th through Inception Media Group.

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A second review of this title is available at DVD Verdict (Paul Pritchard):

Boy Wonder Reviewed at DVD Verdict

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