WORRIED ABOUT THE BOY
UK, 2010, 90 minutes. Colour.
Douglas Booth, Matthew Horne, Mark Gatiss, Marc Warren, Freddie Fox, Frances Magee, Richard Madden.
Directed by Julian Jarrold.
Worried About the Boy is a glimpse at the early life of Boy George. George O’ Dowd had a penchant for dressing up in women’s clothes and for makeup. He left home early, went into central London, became a fixture at the Blitz Club and a favourite with the photographers. He had a range of friends, transvestites (Freddie Fox as Marilyn Monroe stands out), had some liaisons with men, depended on Steve Strange, the owner of the Blitz Club who employed him (where he rifled the pockets of guests for money) and then sacked him. He entered into a relationship with Kirk Brandon (later to sue Boy George claiming that the relationship was not a fact), as well as Jon Moss, a drummer, with whom he also had a relationship. Mark Gatiss appears as Malcolm Mc Laren.
The film is more of a glimpse than an explanation of what made Boy George tick, why he became the celebrity that he did, does not indicate so much his musical talent and his eventual belonging to bands and Culture Club.
Douglas Booth (From Time to Time) impersonates Boy George quite strikingly. Matthew Horne (from Gavin and Stacey) gives some humanity to Jon Moss.
The film recreates the period, the costumes and décor, comments on the various movements in rock music in the 1970s and early 80s.
Director Julian Jarrold made such films as Becoming Jane and Brideshead Revisited.
1. Audience interest in Boy George? As a celebrity? As a performer?
2. The portrait of the UK at the time, 1980 and its style, changing fashions? The importance of fashion? The importance of music, rock music and bands?
3. George O’ Dowd and his performance, at clubs, his bands, media and magazines?
4. The re-creation of the period, London, the suburbs, the city, the nightclubs, the poor digs, the studios, décor and lights, fashion? The musical score?
5. The title, everybody saying that they were worried about George? Especially his father? George O’ Dowd as a character, audience interest, curiosity? The background of the O’ Dowd family? George at school, the discussion with the principal, his lack of ambitions, his interest in makeup? Stealing the dress? His father’s concern? Makeup, leaving home, the digs, the variety of friends, Peter as Marilyn Monroe? Going to the clubs, cavorting? Clothes? The relationship with Steve Strange? Getting the job, stealing the money? Later being fired? The man in the street and the relationship, George denouncing him in the club? The fight? His relationship with Kirk? The various celebrities in the club, Billy Idol? The effect of his look, the photos, the magazines, becoming famous?
6. His sexual orientation, the initial encounter with the man, claiming he was straight, the reaction and the fight? Kirk imagining him as a girl? The relationship? Jon, his wife? The range of friendships? George needing love, the liaisons, his needs, lonely?
7. The portrait of George’s father, a good man, worried, wanting his son to have a plan, the various visits, talking with his son? His quiet mother?
8. Marilyn, the various members of the group? Their appearance, the media loving them, their lifestyle, talking amongst each other, Marilyn and the boyfriend, going to Scotland? The girl who OD’d?
9. Boy George and the issue of drugs, the media haunting him, his taunts, taking cocaine?
10. Kirk, as a character, wanting George to be a girl, his own girlfriend, George dyeing his hair, his clothes, the relationship, the later alienation?
11. Jon, talking with George, the taunts, the relationship, Jon’s wife? As drummer in the band?
12. The music, George’s voice, quality or not, his sense of presence, costumes and makeup?
13. Steve Strange, the club, whom he allowed in? the discussions with George?
14. Malcolm Mc Laren, his role as an entrepreneur, his eccentric manner, comments, his career, discussions with George, the band, the rehearsals and the rest of the band not wanting to play with George? The formation of Culture Club?
15. Mikey Craig, the invitation to George to join the band? Their practices? The television performance?
16. George at the opening and the end, the whole episode as a flashback? How much of a portrait of George? How much insight?
