Best Boy (1979)

Director:

Ira Wohl

Writer:

Ira Wohl (written by)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography

Plot:

In this documentary, the director follows the day-to-day activities of his retarded, middle-aged cousin Philly, over a three-year period.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Loss Of Father | Cousin | Mother Son Relationship | Loss Of Husband

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Philip Wohl	...	Himself (as Philly Wohl)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zero Mostel	...	Himself
Christine O'Connor	...	Herself
Frances Reiss	...	Herself - Philly's Sister
Ira Wohl	...	Himself
Max Wohl	...	Himself
Pearl Wohl	...	Herself

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Only Child Motion Pictures

Quotes:

Max Wohl: I'm hungry.
Pearl Wohl: So eat.
Max Wohl: I'm eating.

Movie Connections:

Features "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973)

Soundtrack:

If I Were a Rich Man

For any parents or sibling of a mentally-challenged individual, "Best Boy" will prove not just an emotional triumph, but a necessity.

"Best Boy" is one of the loveliest, most heartbreaking yet life-affirming documentaries ever filmed. When I saw it with a group of special education teachers in the early 1990s--teachers who knew students just like Philly and taught them day in and day out--there was not a dry eye in the house. "Best Boy" touches the heart and establishes that the greatest "need" for special people is their liberation from pampering and being spoon-fed, and ultimately being self-sufficient. It also asks the all important question of parents: Are you there for your child (even if the child is nearing 50), or is the "child" there for you? An exceptionally moving film-going experience. If you don't cry while watching this touching real-life story, then you might want to check your pulse.