Watch The Drawer Boy

The Drawer Boy is a 2017 Canadian drama film directed by Arturo Pérez Torres and written by Michael Healey. The movie is based on the play of the same name by Michael Healey, which was originally performed in 1999 in Toronto. The film follows the lives of two farmers, Angus and Morgan, and a young actor named Miles, who comes to their farm to research for a play. The Drawer Boy is a thought-provoking exploration of memory, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves and others.

The story revolves around Angus and Morgan, two lifelong friends who live on a farm in rural Ontario. Angus is suffering from memory loss, and Morgan is his caretaker. They live a simple life, working on the farm and tending to their cows. One day, a young actor named Miles arrives at their farm to research for a play he is working on. The play is about farmers, and Miles believes that Angus and Morgan's farm could provide him with valuable insights into their lives.

As Miles starts to interview Angus and Morgan, he discovers that they have a mysterious past. Through his conversations with them, he learns that they were involved in a traumatic event during World War II, which left Angus with memory loss. As Miles delves deeper into their past, he discovers that the truth is much more complicated than he anticipated. He also starts to question whether it is ethical to use their story for his play.

The main theme of the movie is memory and identity. Angus is suffering from memory loss and is reliant on Morgan to remember their past. In contrast, Morgan's identity is defined almost entirely by his relationship with Angus. The play within the movie is also an exploration of memory and identity, as Miles tries to understand the lives of the farmers he is writing about.

The performances in The Drawer Boy are excellent, particularly Stuart Hughes as Morgan. He portrays the character's devotion and protectiveness towards Angus with nuance and emotion. Richard Clarkin, as Angus, also delivers a moving performance as a man grappling with memory loss. And Heidi Lynch gives a strong performance as Miles, the outsider who inadvertently becomes intertwined with Angus and Morgan's lives.

The cinematography is also notable, with the film's bucolic setting captured beautifully. The use of natural light and muted colors adds to the tranquility and simplicity of the rural life portrayed in the film. The music is fittingly understated, and the use of silence is particularly effective in conveying the characters' emotions.

The Drawer Boy is a slow-paced movie that requires patience and attention, but it rewards the viewer with a thought-provoking exploration of memory and identity. The film is an adaptation of a play, and this is evident in the movie's structure and pacing. There are extended scenes of dialogue, which some viewers may find tedious, but these scenes are crucial in establishing the characters' relationships and motivations.

The Drawer Boy is not a movie for everyone, but it is a thoughtful and well-crafted exploration of universal themes. It is particularly noteworthy for its exploration of memory and identity and its nuanced performances. The movie is an excellent adaptation of the play and a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

The Drawer Boy is a 2018 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.