Boy's State
APPLE TV+For many, the concept of 1,100 teenage boys from Texas gathering in one location for a week of political discourse and debate sounds like a headache waiting to happen. Directors Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine saw the potential in the event and captured the mock election in the new documentary Boys State which follows a select few of these boys over the course of the week as they run for various offices and have to engage with the political process like never before. Where undoubtedly entertaining, the film also feels haunting with its insights on politics and what it takes to be a successful politician. These two sides come together to create a captivating and impactful film that stands out even in a year which is shaping up to be an all-time great for documentaries.
For most of Boys State, the film plays out like a trashy yet genuine reality TV show. With larger than life characters who constantly feed into the social drama of the situation with over the top emotions and private tell all’s where the characters reveal their grand plans, which often include a good amount of lying and deception. It is easy to get sucked into the social back and forth with the easy to follow goal of getting elected. The ideas and debates are based deeply in real world issues, from gun control to abortion rights, even when the stakes are generally low the platforms and techniques the subjects use to gain votes is all too real.
Even more than a conversation on the issues themselves, the film finds nuance within its conversation surrounding why politicians need to take such bold stances even if they don't line up with their own personal beliefs. Politics has in many instances become a game void of honesty which is a mentality Boys State captures in an effective and honest matter. Without the stakes of an actual election, the film can showcase these ideas in a way which can be appreciated and valued without the frustration of it causing actual damage as a direct result of the actions the audience is witnessing.
This is the case for much of the runtime until the ending. Without getting into complete spoilers, the final conclusion that the film reaches is one that borders on being fully depressing and nearly triggering coming off of the 2016 American Presidential election with another one around the corner. The film tries to show progress, but ultimately it is overshadowed by the exposure of the flaws within the voting process. In a sense, this downer conclusion ends up hurting much of the film overall. Not only does it completely destroy the enjoyment found in the earlier film by trivializing the drama found from the process but it ultimately concludes as a wider message on the political system without acknowledging the factors that limit how universal this experience actually is. From the specific voting patterns found within Texas when compared to the rest of the country to the influence of the cameras. Had the film crafted a cleaner conclusion with a more set direction, it feels like the impact could be more focused and effective but as is, struggles to fully come together in a clear message as the film would like.
Boys State is a fun yet haunting documentary that is undoubtedly worth the time needed to check out. The larger than life characters are captivating to watch and audiences will find themselves on the edge of their seats for the film to break their hearts and stomp on their dreams with a sad look at the reality of modern politics. For those ready to experience that reality again, Boys State is an easy recommendation but for those who might not be ready to feel that pain again, maybe turn the film off right before its final 5 minutes.
