Oh, To Be A Tween, Again. Not!

Kaleidoscope’s newest is on Universal’s production of “Good Boys”.  Co-written & directed by Gene Stupnitsky, the movie stars Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, Brady Noon, Molly Gordon, Midori Francis, Will Forte, Lil Rel Howery, Millie Davis, & Retta.  Rated ‘R’, it has a running time of 1 hr., 29 min. 

The Bean Bag Boys--Max (Tremblay), Lucas (Williams), & Thor (Noon)--are entering 6th grade, the dreaded Middle School years!  Each has his own personal conflict:  Max has a crush on Brixlee (Davis) & longs to kiss her; Lucas's parents, (Howery & Retta) are getting divorced; & Thor's teasing by his fellow students discourages him from trying out for the lead singing role in the school production of "Rock of Ages".  Max is invited by the school's 'cool' kids to a party; it is a kissing party, & Max will have the opportunity to kiss the also invited Brixlee.  Max & his friends come up with the idea of using Max's dad's (Forte) business-related drone to fly to his neighbor Hannah's (Gordon) home to spy on her & her friend Lily (Francis) & get kissing tips, especially with Hannah's boyfriend there.  The plan turns disastrous as the drone is destroyed.  When the boys come to retrieve it, they are refused.  In the confusion, the boys get Hannah's 'ecstasy' pills.  The next day, the boys skip school & begin a journey to the mall to buy a new drone with Hannah & Lily in pursuit.  The film's 'quest' archetype begins as Act I ends.

Stupniksky alternately directs in frenzied, manic, & sensitive tones as befits the scenes' varying moods.  There is nothing outstanding here, directorially; this is his 1st feature film, & the lack of inventive style shows.  The scenes' staging & compositions are routine but competent.  Where the film shines, however, is in Stupnitsky's & Lee Eisenberg's script.  It is hilarious with jokes & situations that come at a relentless pace.  Many times, one is still laughing at one joke when another, even more uproarious joke/circumstance comes along, & one's belly aches from laughter.  What is even more outstanding, though, is the screenplay's poignancy, heart, love, & truth in scenes that are in counterpoint to the riotous ones.  The tween & early teen years are laced throughout with one's yearning to deal with more adult issues while saddled with a body & emotional level that belies these yearnings.  These are sweet script moments that are filled with a veracity to which all can relate.  We have all 'been there'.  This multilayered film exemplifies producers Evan Goldberg, Jonah Hill, & Seth Rogen at their best.  The performances match the film's humor & heart.  After displaying his dramatic proficiency in films & TV such as "Room", "Wonder", & the 'Wunderkind' episode of the new "Twilight Zone" series, Tremblay wholeheartedly immerses himself in the ribald, 'R'-rated humor of this film.  At the age of 12, he has a long & huge career in front of him.  Williams & Noon ably complement Tremblay in this believable trio of tweens!  They are alternately touching & humorous as befits the script.  Williams, in particular, shows a great range in this, his 1st major screen role.  Gordon & Francis are able agents provocateurs as they force the boys to commit acts they would not have normally done.  They are believable & well complement their nemeses.  Mike McReady's score & T, J, Williams, Jr.'s cinematography are professionally competent if never outstanding.  Celia Beasley's editing is more of a standout as she handles transitions that complement & provide highlights of the humor endemic to the script.

I give "Good Boys" 9 out of 10 nuggets.  This film is a seamless blend of hilarity, sweetness, & veracity.  If you wish healthy doses of all 3 elements, run to your nearest multiplex asap!