Handsome Devil

Name: Handsome Devil
Genre: Drama
Released: June 2, 2017
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Amy Huberman, Ardal O'Hanlon, Dick O'Leary, Fionn O'Shea, Hugh O'Conor

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Ratings

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Handsome Devil

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Movie Details & Credits

Breaking Glass Pictures | Release Date: June 2, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Amy Huberman, Ardal O'Hanlon, Dick O'Leary, Fionn O'Shea, Hugh O'Conor, Ian Downey, Mark Doherty, Michael McElhatton, Patrick McDonnell, Ruairi O'Connor

Summary: Ned, the bullied outsider, and Conor, a new boy and star athlete, are forced to room together at their cloistered boarding school. Conor is drafted into the senior rugby team, whose actions dominate school life and whose privilege and entitlement have made Ned’s life to date at the school a misery. The boys take an instant and visceralNed, the bullied outsider, and Conor, a new boy and star athlete, are forced to room together at their cloistered boarding school. Conor is drafted into the senior rugby team, whose actions dominate school life and whose privilege and entitlement have made Ned’s life to date at the school a misery. The boys take an instant and visceral dislike to each other, and Ned and Conor seem destined to remain enemies until an English teacher, Mr. Sherry (Andrew Scott), begins to drill into them the value of finding one’s own voice. This lesson isn’t appreciated by everyone though, not least the rugby coach, Pascal (Moe Dunford), who has his own agenda, and who harbors some deep suspicions about Sherry.… Expand

Director: John Butler

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein

Jun 1, 2017

Although the film can feel a bit been-there-seen-that, this earnest, well-drawn tale ultimately proves distinct and winning enough to warrant a look. Read full review

The Film Stage Jared Mobarak

Jun 7, 2017

Butler’s film may be beholden to certain clichéd conventions and formulaic familiarity in its progression, but its characters evolve within them with an authenticity that dismisses such convenience as a way of life. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

May 8, 2017

The story is programmatic and the indie stylings feel tired but Handsome Devil is a winning, enjoyable call for individuality. And Nicholas Galitzine and Fionn O’Shea show promise for the future. Read full review

Time Out London Tom Huddleston

May 20, 2017

It’s all a bit heavy-handed at times, but this is a sweet story honestly told. Read full review

Monica Castillo

Jun 1, 2017

As in many a high school movie, it’s the seasoned teacher who brings the best out of his pupils, and here Mr. Scott draws the hidden potential not only from his students but also from the film. Read full review

Craig D. Lindsey

May 31, 2017

As the flick teeters between feel-good message movie and a burlesque of gay panic, the director scratches the surface in order to show how people rarely look beyond the surface of others. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rebecca31

Jun 2, 2017

Directed by John Butler, starring Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine and Andrew Scott. I urge all of you to find a cinema playing this and don’t miss the chance to see it. You won’t regret it I promise.
It’s not easy being Ned, a loner who doesn’t love rugby in an otherwise rugby obsessedDirected by John Butler, starring Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine and Andrew Scott. I urge all of you to find a cinema playing this and don’t miss the chance to see it. You won’t regret it I promise.
It’s not easy being Ned, a loner who doesn’t love rugby in an otherwise rugby obsessed school. His new roommate is coincidently the star of the rubgy team which sparks an unlikely friendship between the two. So what’s not to love? Nothing that’s what. I loved this movie from start to finish. The humorous dialogue, the genuine characters, it’s well written and well directed. A feel good movie that captures you with a heart warming story and keeps you engaged and laughing effortlessly. I’d recommend Handsome Devil to anyone.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

alejandro970

Nov 7, 2021

The first thing that stands out is that it is presented as an LGBT-themed film without being so invasive. One of its strengths is the honesty of the characters, attached to real life. It would be a waste not to give this movie a chance.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Feb 4, 2018

Music, sport and then there's gay.

I have seen many gay films, but I never felt very satisfied as this one. It removed all the cliches. You don't get a product like that often. I mean, despite being a gay film, there's no romance in it. But everything was told from a different aspect, likeMusic, sport and then there's gay.

I have seen many gay films, but I never felt very satisfied as this one. It removed all the cliches. You don't get a product like that often. I mean, despite being a gay film, there's no romance in it. But everything was told from a different aspect, like whether it is in the eye of sport, music, et cetera. Maybe if one film that families should watch regarding gay theme, that could be this one. Of course the families should be open minded on LGBT for that. Because the film does not promote gayism, but in a normal tone to say, it's about harassment being whatever you are. And at the end gives a fine message.

Welcome to T18. I mean happy new year. This is my first review of the year. It is a good start for me being a cinephile. As I've said, it is a rare gem. An Irish film, but in English language. Remember, it is not even a British or Aussie, so the cast and crew are completely unknown. That means it is like watching some B movie. The initial setup reminded me 'Wild Child'. But that was an American film, from Americans perspective, how they see British boarding school. So if you are regular Hollywood teen film watcher, then you might feel slightly strange watching this. Because the students are obedient against their teacher, unlike American rebellious kids.

-xX] There will come a point in the future when you won't have to lie anymore. [Xx-

The film title might hint strongly that it is a gay romance, but as I said it was not. This is the story of two boys, but most of it was narrated from Ned's perspective. When his parents moved to Southwestern Asia for work, he was left behind at a boarding school. Among bullies, he's very popular for his sexual orientation. But it was never been confirmed, until a new roommate joins him. He's handsome and a rugby player, but they both put together for a talent show, where they have to prepare a song to sing. So the conflict of interest between sport and music surface and fuels further complication in what it is already out of control.

This film was made last year, before that year was when the same-sex marriage legalised in Ireland. But the timeline of the film is unknown. Mostly like it just before the legalisation. Because seeing how the story happened, it all makes sense. Still a mixed response from the people, the gays are hesitating to come out of the closet. So the harassers still targeting such people, that's what this film is about. In addition to that, the story was told from the teenager's perspective, but I loved that small part of aspect from a teacher. That kind of looked like a bonus advantage of the film.

Regarding Rugby, it was part of the storytelling, not the whole story. So whatever happen in the sporting event was a normal result than considered as a cliche. The same goes for the music part of the film too. It did delivered the message cleverly. The best of it was how these two themes were merged to get a wonderful awareness film. Not just one of the best gay film, but one of the best films of the year. Totally worth a watch!

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrWiccano

Jun 22, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Uma bela de uma bosta. O Ned só se fode o filme inteiro, é culpabilizado antes, durante e ainda depois e o filme ainda me vem com esse clichê genérico de filme de sessão da tarde que tudo se resolve com mágica e todos vão começar a te amar por causa de um feito milagroso e tudo sera feliz para sempre. Não adicionou em absolutamente nada e eu ainda fiquei angustiado pelo menino durante o filme todo.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

While well-intentioned, there's an unnerving, unhinged take on this subject matter that makes the act of watching this film a depressing experience for all the wrong reasons.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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