The Boondock Saints, a picture that was blacklisted from theaters and pushed straight to DVD, has only been available on store shelves for a few years. However, through word of mouth, the film has both gained quite a following and established itself as a cult classic. By containing captivating characters in superb action sequences, with tricky timing and witty dialogue, first time writer/director Troy Duffy has created a near hidden gem of an independent film. Unfortunately, Duffy’s debut is a bit beset by a low budget and a bit borrowed from bigger blockbusters.
Two fraternal twin brothers, Conner (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) MacManus, may have grown up poverty-stricken (in the “boondocks”), but despite destitution, have remained steadfast in their faith. The Irish MacManus bros. are two tattooed, devout Catholics who carry their crosses with them everywhere they go. Both have firm relationships with God and follow His guidance down whatever path they feel He leads them.
After what seems like just another St. Patty’s Day bar fight, the drunken Irish boys find themselves in a life and death situation with three members of the Russian Mob, and are forced to kill in their own self defense. Then, after turning themselves in to the authorities for the crime and getting off the hook, they discover that the people of South Boston are emphatically behind them—calling them “saints” for getting rid of the low-life mafia scum of the streets. Now, after what seems like a request from God, these vigilante brothers unleash their wrath on all of the wise-guy mobsters and murderers in a series of quick and clean killings.
Meanwhile, the intelligent, seemingly-psychic, yet fruity, F.B.I. Agent Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe) is in a frantic search to uncover the identities of the South Boston serial killers; he is unbeknownst to the fact that the “saints” he just released are the men responsible for doing the undertaking in all of his open-ended cases. Once he discovers that the murderers are the same two young men that he dismissed for doing the city good, what type of lawful and moral decisions will he make? Will he bring the twins to justice, let them continue, or join in their effort?
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Article comments
1 - Tyler Newton
Good review, although I would add one thing:
If you want to see a better related movie, see OVERNIGHT, the documentary showing the the brief rise and hard fall of Troy Duffy and "The Boondock Saints."
This guy deserves to have his movie suck. At least he makes no money off it (See OVERNIGHT).