Kieran Culkinhas been one of the few “child stars” who has successfully transitioned into a legitimate adult actor, as he has now earned innumerable accolades for his scene-stealing performance in HBO’sSuccessionand his standout supporting role in the Oscar-nominated dramedyA Real Pain. While Culkin was once viewed only in relation to his older brother, he has developed a unique ability to play vulnerable, snarky characters who use their dark sense of humor as a method of self-defense. Culkin’s talents were visible from a young age,as his first lead role inIgby Goes Downindicated he was capable of being a leading man. However,Culkin gave one of his most subtle and affectionate performances in the underrated coming-of-age filmThe Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys.
What Is ‘The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys’ About?
Set in Savannah, Georgia during the 1970s,The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boyscenters on four Catholic teenagers that grow up in a strictly religious community, and struggle to express themselves. Culkin stars as Tim Sullivan, who joins his friends Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch), Wade Scalisi (Jake Richardson), and Joey Anderson (Tyler Long) in pulling off pranks to keep themselves entertained. Although his mentors encourage him to keep his thoughts to himself in order to fit within the strict parameters of the community, Tim is able to express his feelings by drawing a series of comic books, whichcenter on wild stories of superheroesthat go on amazing adventures. Initially, this is nothing but a fantasy for Tim, but he is faced with the responsibility of actually acting in the interest of others when he learns a dark secret from his friend Margie Flynn (Jena Malone).
No Oscar Snub Hurts Harder Than This
Academy, explain yourselves!
Culkin gives an outstanding performancebecause he seemingly understands the incredible burden that Tim is under during a particularly sensitive period in his adolescence. Although Tim is clearly intelligent and has some wisdom that many of his peers lack, he has also been denied a traditional childhood, and thus feels that he has “missed out” on having any real fun. This dissatisfaction that Tim feels encourages him to act in a more childlike manner, as the pranks get increasingly more elaborate as the story continues. However, it is also shown that having something to work on, be it the pranks or his comics, gives Tim motivation that he would not have been able to find in his schoolwork. While he does not feel like acing his tests will actually improve his life in any significant way, he does come to recognize that putting his attention elsewhere allows him to cope withthe crushing feelings of anxiety and depressionthat make his existence so miserable.
‘The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys’ Is a Surprisingly Mature Coming-Of-Age Story
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boyssucceeds by taking its characters seriously,and exploring why they are forced to rely on one another when they aren’t able to find leadership elsewhere. Culkin is particularly strong at showing the “front” that Tim has to put on to mask how he is actually feeling; even if he likes topretend that he is a “class clown”who enjoys disrupting other students’ studies, his work on the comics reveals that he is hiding a sense of optimism about the future. By drawing from the novel of the same name, directorPeter Carewas able to use inventive methods of animation to show what Tim’s drawings actually looked like.
Despite the raunchy sense-of-humor that it often has,The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boyshas a lot of compassion for its characters, and seeks to understand why they feel so alone. Culkin is a rare actor who can play characters that are deliberately irritating at times, but still prove to be worthy of emotional investment based on the nuanced way they consider their surroundings. Althoughthere are many coming-of-age films,The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boysmerges religious anxiety, slapstick humor, masculine sensitivity, and a truly transcendent performance by Culkin to be an underrated gem that was worthy of more attention than it received at the time of its initial release.
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
