SummaryBased on Chris Fuhrman's original and audacious coming-of-age novel, this film is a 70's-set drama featuring two charming but irreverent Catholic high schoolers who confront the mysteries of adulthood. (ThinkFilm)
Directed By:Peter Care
Written By:Chris Fuhrman, Jeff Stockwell, Michael Petroni
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
Metascore
Generally Favorable
69
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
69
61% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
39% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Essentially a coming-of-age story set in working-class North Carolina in the 1970s. But it's so startlingly original that it transcends the genre. This is a wonderful film, from puckish start to momentous finish.
88
One of the most inventive, funny and ultimately tragic coming-of-age movies in years.
75
Isn't the best coming-of-age story to hit the big screen, but it skirts new territory, and does so with a flare that earns it a recommendation.
70
The British music-video director Peter Care (making his feature debut) and screenwriters Jeff Stockwell and Michael Petroni have retained much of the wry, teen-wise dialogue from the late Chris Fuhrman's cult-hit novel, while giving his story arc a fuller, more rounded shape.
60
Young costars carry the film, creating real characters from a generally flat script and Peter Care's largely undistinguished direction, both of which conspire to keep Altar Boys' danger at a distance.
58
There are some nice ideas floating around this ambitious film, as well as attempts to say them in a unique way.
50
There are 10 minutes of animation in the film, and it could have used a few more: They have a spirited, inventive energy that the rest of this well-intentioned but awfully melodramatic movie lacks.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
78% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
11% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
11% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Feb 24, 2013
8
This movie was recommended to me by someone and I was honestly a little hesitant to watch it. It's a young cast, with a first time director, and lets face it, nuns and altar boys? ...it was actually a GREAT movie. It was the perfect balance of comedy and drama, that kept you interested throughout. There were also flashes of animation that just added to the story and made it even better. It's hard to describe this movie without spoilers, but I would defiantly suggest you take a chance and check it out!
Production Company:
- Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)
- Egg Pictures
- Trilogy Entertainment Group
Release Date:Jun 14, 2002
Duration:1 h 44 m
Rating:R
Tagline:One of the most inventive, funny coming-of-age films in years!
Awards
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
