I didn't see the play, I have watched the movie purely for the sake of Robert Sean Leonard - but it was definitely worth it.
I'm a disabled person, I've met a lot of disabled people in my life, and quite frankly, this movie is a very realistic portrayal of how it looks.
The actors have done a magnificent job at portraying disability, the behaviours of the characters aren't something unfamiliar for me to see.
While I already knew that RSL will definitely portray his role well, I think he's a good actor, he did even better than I initially expected. His body language and expressions are just on spot, the way he shows nervousness and anxiety as his character is realistic and simply relatable, it looks genuine.
With other main actors, I was definitely pleasantly surprised. They did a perfect job at their roles and I have no critique for that. I don't recall them that much, so I don't have anything more to say though.
I'm glad that the movie also included actors who are in fact disabled, I have seen a ridiculous amount of movies that talk about disability, but oddly enough reject the disabled actors.
All in all - worth the watch, it's silly and fun, but also handles the more difficult topics with care and detail. Love it.
The Boys Next Door
1996
Action / Comedy / Drama
The Boys Next Door
1996
Action / Comedy / Drama
Plot summary
Kind-hearted social worker Jack Palmer feels guilty about not spending enough time with his wife due to the pressures of his job taking care of four developmentally disabled men: obsessive-compulsive Norman, bipolar Arnold, childlike Lucien, and schizophrenic Barry. When Jack announces his decision to leave his job, his four charges react quite unexpectedly to the news.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
September 25, 2021 at 01:26 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Realistic Portrayal of Disability
An excellent movie about disabled people without offending them
I have heard about THE BOYS NEXT DOOR for some years because of the subject and also because a friend of mine that loves TV shows saw it for an actor that guest starred on CHUCK with Zachary Levi. Last February I finally saw it and I ended up liking it much more than I expected.
Jack Palmer (Tony Goldwyn) is a social worker that cares for four young disabled men: Norman (Nathan Lane) who is obsessed with rodents, Lucien (Courtney B. Vance) who is obsessed with crackerjacks and Spiderman, Arnold (Michael Jeter) who loves to buy things in supermarkets and shops but not pay, and Barry Klemper who is scorned by his father (Richard Jenkins) because he can't play, and makes them live in a house. During most of the movie he has to deal with their obsessions and the troubles they cause, but never makes them notice their mistakes. All this goes smoothly until the end when Jack has to go to Germany for a job offer.
The plot might look simple but the story is so well acted by all the cast members involved and the situations so entertaining that it makes this TV movie worth seeing just for that. And since it's available on Youtube, try it if you stumble upon it.
Very good
This was a very good movie about a really great guy watching out four some mentally challenged men. It wag funny but had a very serious Side to. Don't pay any attention to the bad reviews. Try it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 11/ 04/2021.