Happy St. Patrick's Day! Even if you're not Irish, Murphy MacManus says that everyone's Irish tonight. If you have nothing to do during St. Paddy's Day, how about you watch a movie, aye? Here's my recommendation: The Boondocks Saints (1999). This film was directed and written by Troy Duffy. Initially, this movie didn't do too well due to its limited theatrical release, showing it in only 5 cinemas throughout a week. The original un-rated version was re-released in 2006. This indie thriller quickly became a cult classic, even though it was not favoured by critics.
"Call" to action from God
The plot of this movie revolves around fraternal twins, Connor (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) MacManus. The MacManus brothers live in a crime-infested city in Boston run by Russian mobsters. The Irishmen celebrate St. Patty's Day at a bar with their friends until three mobsters arrive to close the bar down. A bar brawl ensues. The next day, two of the mobsters seek revenge on the MacManus brothers who in turn kill them in an act of self-defense. FBI agent Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe), who is in charge of the case, releases the brothers. After getting a taste of getting rid of scums, the brothers decide to become vigilantes, or 'Saints' as reported by the press.
The Funny Man, The Saints, The Mafia, The FBI, The Hitman
Rocco, an errand boy for the mafia boss "Papa Joe" and also a friend of the MacManus brothers, joins Connor and Murphy after realising that he had been betrayed. The trio go on to get rid of people connected to Papa Joe. However, Papa Joe sent a hitman, Il Duce, after the trio. They barely got out alive. They then plan to attack Papa Joe's headquarters but get ambushed. Rocco gets killed and the brothers mourn for him. Paul Smecker, who decides to help out the brothers after finding out that they were behind the "crimes", assists the brothers by killing Papa Joe's men. He is knocked out by Il Duce. Il Duce makes his way to the room where the trio are held hostage to kill them but hears the brothers' prayer.
"And Shepherds we shall be for thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti."
Il Duce finishes the prayer instead. He is then revealed to be the brothers' father. He joins his sons on their mission.
Judge, Jury and Executioner
The MacManus family enter the courtroom where Papa Joe is on trial. They kill Papa Joe in front of everyone in the courtroom after making a speech saying that they will get rid of evil and will not stop at anything.
Critique
This action-comedy vigilante film has an r-rated scene and is full of (unnecessary) cursing, which Connor MacManus says, "Well, that certainly illustrates the diversity of the word."
Norman Reedus has the worst Irish accent I've ever heard, but can you blame the guy? He looks like a total heartthrob in the past. He still looks badass now as The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon.
The interaction between Connor and Murphy is perhaps the funniest exchange in the entire movie because of how childish they act as brothers. My favourite scene with them is when they were bickering about the rope. Another favourite scene is when Murphy says, "We're sorta like seven eleven, we're not always doing business, but we're always open." Connor then replies with, "That's nicely put."
Willem Dafoe, well what can I say? He looks like a crazy mad man right from the start. Willem Dafoe is this quirky actor who makes us believe whatever he was doing was right.
The film itself has some sort of a Quentin Tarantino vibe to it. It's no wonder how this film got a huge cult following. I would give this movie a 6.5 out of a 10.
All Saints Day
The sequel to this movie is The Boondocks Saints: All Saints Day which was released in 2009. The second movie follows the MacManus brothers as they try to clear their name after being accused for killing their homeland priest. I liked the first movie better because it has better dialogue and plot. A third movie is on its way but no information has been confirmed as of yet.