A Boy Called Sailboat

2018 comedy-drama film

Running time
92 minutesCountriesUnited States
AustraliaLanguagesEnglish
Spanish

A Boy Called Sailboat is a 2018 American-Australian comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Nugent and starring Julian Atocani Sanchez, Noel Gugliemi, Elizabeth De Razzo, Jake Busey, and J. K. Simmons.

Plot

The film revolves around a poor Hispanic family with a son named Sailboat. Sailboat's friend, Peeti, is obsessed with soccer, but has a disability that prevents him from playing the game. Sailboat finds a "little guitar" (actually a ukelele) in a pile of junk. He learns how to play it, and eventually creates and plays a song for his sick grandmother, who is in hospital.

Cast

  • Julian Atocani Sanchez as Sailboat
  • Jake Busey as Bing
  • J. K. Simmons as Ernest
  • Noel Gugliemi as José
  • Lew Temple as DJ
  • Bernard Curry as Referee / Hacienda Hill Actor / Instructional CD Voice
  • Elizabeth De Razzo as Meyo

Production

The film is written, directed, edited, and co-produced by Cameron Nugent.[1] It is his debut feature film as director.[2] The script was drafted over many years, and originally set in Melbourne, Australia, but later transposed to a desert town in New Mexico. It was produced in Silver City, New Mexico. One of the co-producers was Cameron's business partner Andrew Curry, whose family in Melbourne are much involved with the Australian film industry. Andrew's brother, Bernard Curry, plays many bit parts.[1]

Cinematography is by John Garrett.[1][a]

Other producers are Richard Gray and Nelson Khoury.[3]

Release

The Premiere Entertainment Group, based in Los Angeles, has worldwide rights to the film.[2]

The film was classified PG (Parental Guidance recommended) in Australia.[3]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has rating of 77%, based on 13 reviews.[4]

It received generally positive reviews from critics.[5] The Sydney Morning Herald called it a "delightfully original family film".[6]

One reviewer[specify] likened the film's technique to that of Wes Anderson, in its "hyper-stylized, whimsical settings and symmetrical staging".[7] Another[specify] thought the cinematography reminiscent of Wim Wenders' 1984 film Paris Texas.[1]

Accolades

A Boy Named Sailboat was nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Indie Film in the 10th AACTA Awards in 2020.[8]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2020, its soundtrack was nominated for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.[9]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Gray says "Richard", but John is correct, and he cites some of his films.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gray, Jenna (1 May 2023). "A Boy Called Sailboat: award winning indie film review". The Owl. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kay, Jeremy (17 February 2018). "Premiere selling JK Simmons family comedy 'A Boy Called Sailboat' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b "A Boy Called Sailboat". Australian Classification. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  4. ^ "A Boy Called Sailboat". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  5. ^ LePire, Bobby (15 January 2019). "A Boy Called Sailboat". Film Threat. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  6. ^ Yates, Rod (13 November 2018). "A Boy Called Sailboat attracts big name with bold approach to JK Simmons". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  7. ^ Krieger, Deborah (31 January 2019). "A Boy Called Sailboat". Moviejawn. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Winners & Nominees". AACTA. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  9. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 16 July 2022.

External links