A Boy Called Dad (2009)

Excellent adaptation.

A Major Disappointment

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This film is not something I would purposely seek out to watch, it isn't something that would catch my eye if I stumbled on the trailer, but it is something that I am glad to have been shown to. I only watched this as part of my exam preparation for Media Studies and I honestly think it is one of the most eye opening things I have ever seen. It covers issues that are very much alive today and really gets to the raw emotion of the situation Robbie is placed in. The film is incredibly well made and I seriously recommend that people go out and buy it, I promise that you will like it, even if you don't expect that you will. A Boy Called Dad proves the potential that independent film makers have and has blasted a massive hole in the market to be filled with feature films just like this that are hugely successful in doing what they do and are just as worthy of viewers as big Hollywood films we all go to see.

You don't have to have a child yourself to feel the emotion seeping out of every frame of this affecting film - everyone will relate to the themes of regret, responsibility and second chances.A great performance by Kyle Ward, for his first film role he shows a real depth of emotion and surprising subtlety at times and Ian Hart in the role of his absent father is great as always.An emotionally charged, and in places extremely funny, script combined with some breathtaking cinematography lift 'A Boy Called Dad' above many of its contemporaries. The result is a film that won't just tug at the heart strings, but will shear right through them. A simple story told with honesty and integrity; one that will stay with you long after you've left the cinema.

Director Brian Percival manages to maintain an even keel between the social relevance of teenage pregnancy and keeping the audience grounded in a young boy's innocence. Following this personal journey from boyhood to fatherhood is a captivating and precious experience that is sure to tug on your heartstrings. Julie Rutterford's dialogue is spot-on and the acting is brilliant. Ian Hart gives a great performance as Robbie's dead-beat dad and Kyle Ward (14-year old Robbie) brings a genuine honesty and reality to this film.This intimate drama is not to be missed and a story that should never to be forgotten.

This film could have so easily been lacklustre, miserable, tedious and dismal. After all it's about a fourteen year old (I think?)lad who goes on the run with his small baby, another reminder of the UK's spiralling teenage pregnancy rates. BUT IT'S NOT ANY OF THESE THINGS!!. A Boy called Dad is heartwarming, funny, yeah it's sad and I cried loads as did some of my friends, but this film manages a really difficult theme with great dignity and flair. I identified with someone who, on paper, I wouldn't have thought was possible but you can't help but imagine yourself on this young teenage dad's journey of unplanned fatherhood and the warm expansion of the love he feels for this helpless and lovable little mite. You feel sorry for them both and eventually proud of the young dad for having coped and developed so much as a decent human being. I love Ian Hart's acting and he's always good value for money. Oh God, Robbie (the young lad) and his baby in the barn with the beautiful light shining on them both asleep (Don 't worry this point not essential to the plot!). Absolutely gorgeous. It reminded me a little of the Hayley Mills film when the kids find a man they think is Jesus. The bit that made me weep buckets though was the sub-plot of the beautiful welsh girl - won't tell you what happens as would spoil it! If I had to describe the film it would be as hard as nails but heartbreakingly sweet.