Andrew Garfield - in 'Boy A'

Andrew Garfield is the talk of the town right now as he plays Spider-Man, the much loved superhero in the new Spider-Man film, a whole new franchise that supposedly varies to a great extent from the earlier films that has Tobey Maguire in the lead. I am yet to see the new film, 'The Amazing Spider-Man', but I have very recently seen an early film starring Andrew Garfield, 'Boy A', and have been in awe of this actor. The film is rather grim and intense. Andrew Garfield plays a young man who is released from the juvenile prison to which he had been sent at the age of ten, after being convicted of assisting in the murder of a twelve year old girl. Filmed in 2007, the subject had supposedly attracted a lot of attention, and the poignant depiction and the performances were hailed by many. 

However, I had no idea, and though I had already seen Andrew Garfield in movies like 'Lions for Lambs', 'The Other Boleyn Girl', and 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus', and his much impressive turn in 'The Social Network', I was unaware of this gem of a film. I found 'Boy A' to be emotionally disturbing, because of the material (it is based on the acclaimed novel by Jonathan Trigell) and at the same time handsomely rewarding on account of Garfield's luminous portrayal of the quite, shy and nervous youth who desperately seeks a second chance in life. His performance is so understated, and he seems so at ease, donning this difficult role, that it is impossible not be affected by the same. His vulnerability brought a lump to my throat and even after the end credits had rolled on, I was chewing on the words spoken by Garfield's character. 

The film, directed by John Crowley, and starring Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan, and Katie Lyons, is now available on home video. So, do watch it for Garfield, unless you are put off by smallish, but serious (read: brooding, and sensitive), British films.