Boys State

Name: Boys State
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 14, 2020
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 84

2020

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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Boys State

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Movie Details & Credits

Apple TV+ | Release Date (Streaming): August 14, 2020 | PG-13

Movie Facts:

Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Summary: Boys State is a continually revealing immersion into a week-long annual program in which a thousand Texas high school seniors gather for an elaborate mock exercise: building their own state government. Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine closely track the escalating tensions that arise within a particularly riveting gubernatorial race,Boys State is a continually revealing immersion into a week-long annual program in which a thousand Texas high school seniors gather for an elaborate mock exercise: building their own state government. Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine closely track the escalating tensions that arise within a particularly riveting gubernatorial race, training their cameras on unforgettable teenagers like Ben, a Reagan-loving arch-conservative who brims with confidence despite personal setbacks, and Steven, a progressive-minded child of Mexican immigrants who stands by his convictions amidst the sea of red. In the process, they have created a complex portrait of contemporary American masculinity, as well as a microcosm of our often dispiriting national political divisions that nevertheless manages to plant seeds of hope. … Expand

Director: Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

Aug 13, 2020

I don’t know that I’ve seen a movie this year that simultaneously depressed the hell out of me and filled me with hope like Boys State. Read full review

100

Jason Gorber

Feb 1, 2020

Smart, entertaining, darkly comic and profoundly unsettling, Boys State is simply brilliant. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Aug 13, 2020

A hugely entertaining and scarily edifying documentary. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Aug 12, 2020

Boys State is a portrait of the country in microcosm: divided, but not yet irredeemably lost. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Aug 10, 2020

Boys State will leave you alternately cheered and alarmed at the shape of things to come. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Aug 11, 2020

Boys State is the most depressing film about boys since “Lord of the Flies.” If anything, it’s even more bleak, because it’s not fiction and it’s not allegory. No, this is a documentary about actual boys. Read full review

John DeFore

Jan 29, 2020

Boys State inevitably feels more and more like reality TV programming, which is both appropriate for our times and depressing. Read full review

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User Reviews

Gamexpert

Aug 14, 2020

This documentary really succeeds in portraying these young kids and how divided the USA really is. Their election felt so real. Some parts of this felt like the USA is beyond repair, and 2 minutes later you see kids that speak with so much passion about issues who real politicians try toThis documentary really succeeds in portraying these young kids and how divided the USA really is. Their election felt so real. Some parts of this felt like the USA is beyond repair, and 2 minutes later you see kids that speak with so much passion about issues who real politicians try to ignore. Especially Steven Garza who tried to unite a mostly conservative crowd with some liberal talking points were quite impressive. Elections evolved into something very entertaining in the USA, that’s equally bad and good, but it also explains why this documentary about a Mock-Election is so much fun.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ChanekeCholo

Dec 13, 2021

At first, I felt so confused and indifferent, but this catch me and it takes me to an incredible, deep and exciting ride.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dunkaccino

Jan 27, 2023

Boys State is not a film about politics, but the unification of 1000 Texas boys that came from building a government system from the ground. Any person, Republican or Democrat, federalist or nationalist, left wing or right wing, can watch Boys State without trouble. Political parties are notBoys State is not a film about politics, but the unification of 1000 Texas boys that came from building a government system from the ground. Any person, Republican or Democrat, federalist or nationalist, left wing or right wing, can watch Boys State without trouble. Political parties are not the focus here, but instead it is the boys’ search for moral principles and developing their own voices.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jibberton

Aug 14, 2020

Amazing doc, a microcosmic viewpoint of the state of the US today (well, pre-COVID anyway). At times enraging but ultimately uplifting, I can't wait to follow up on some of these kids incredibly bright futures. Garza 2036!!!!!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MeepityMeeper

Aug 17, 2020

Wow. This is such a fantastic documentary, and probably the best film of the year. Even if you disagree with the politics of these kids, you should still be able to recognize how well made the doc is. please don't trash a political movie only because it is political.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Sep 4, 2020

Boys State has been happening all over the US since 1937, but this documentary follows the annual event in Texas: a thousand high school seniors participate in a week-long exercise to build their own state government. The filmmakers followed several young men as they pursued their goals forBoys State has been happening all over the US since 1937, but this documentary follows the annual event in Texas: a thousand high school seniors participate in a week-long exercise to build their own state government. The filmmakers followed several young men as they pursued their goals for elected office. Interestingly, the conflicts mirror the divisions in this country and even the sometimes shady machinations of politics. Besides the obvious political statements the doc makes, there’s very little personal insight into the adolescents and there are gaps in the development of some of proceedings. Even so, it’s a fascinating study of the over-stimulated approaches of adolescent males seasoned with the reality of the contradictions of government and politics.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mr_misthios

Aug 14, 2020

Boys State is an excellent foray into the world of youth political role play and the passion with which many young people have toward their future in that space. As an Australian, this concept is foreign to us across the Pacific, so perhaps my fascination is fuelled by the spectacle of 1000+Boys State is an excellent foray into the world of youth political role play and the passion with which many young people have toward their future in that space. As an Australian, this concept is foreign to us across the Pacific, so perhaps my fascination is fuelled by the spectacle of 1000+ high school lads playing out a political system with their own district, state and governor hierarchy with a final push to “win” governance of the “Boys State”. The following of the week long spectacle, some of its chief protagonists and the election process was certainly enthralling to watch. The passion of these young men for their (largely conservative) beliefs and the decision of, say, personal pro life/choice or gun control belief candidates to either stand their ground on their values vs alter them for political popularity is very interesting. When I apply an Australian lens over this democratic process (I feel we are more liberal even with a conservative government in power - especially on matters such as firearms) it is as much an education for me as the drama going on. Truly a fascinating capture of this process.

Some detractors: I feel that some key people (especially one in particular) got virtually no air time. Maybe they declined, but I felt there was room here to balance the relationship building with various candidates rather than focus largely on just three. Also, Apple TV need to check their quality control - there’s a period half way in where the audio loses sync with the picture. I thought it was me but I switched devices and even platforms and the issue persists on all three.

Overall though this is a decent production and I hope they give us a glimpse of Girls State next time given future female leaders go through their own separate process.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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