The Boys Next Door (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

John Erman

Writers (WGA):

Tom Griffin (play)
William Blinn (teleplay)

Release Date:

4 February 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes being a little different means being a lot more wonderful.

Plot:

Jack Palmer is a social worker whose job has taken precedence over his personal life. Mainly, his job...

Plot Keywords:

Testify | Spider-Man | Golf | Senate | Social Worker

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Nathan Lane	...	Norman Bulansky
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Barry Klemper
Tony Goldwyn	...	Jack Palmer
Michael Jeter	...	Arnold Wiggins
Courtney B. Vance	...	Lucien P. Singer
Mare Winningham	...	Sheila
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mary Fremus
Richard Jenkins	...	Bob Klemper
Lynne Thigpen	...	Mrs. Tracy
Caroline Aaron	...	Mrs. Warren
Michael Hogan	...	Dr. Racine
Laura Bertram	...	Cashier
Martha Burns
George R. Robertson	...	Senator Warren Clarke
Jenny Robertson	...	Rena Palmer

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Trivia:

In the original stage show, Lucien's last name was "Smith" and not "Singer".

Quotes:

Sheila: Norman, guess what?
Norman Bulansky: What?
Sheila: I'm a orchid.
Norman Bulansky: Not me.
Sheila: Norman, what flower are you?
Norman Bulansky: An apple donut with raisins.
Sheila: That's nice. I'm a orchid.
[pause]
Sheila: Norman, can I have your keys?
Norman Bulansky: Oh boy, Sheila, I need my keys.
[...]

The BEST movie!

When neighbors and friends asked my parents what I wanted for my birthday, my Mother simply informed them "If it's a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, she'll love it!" I only received one HHoF movie, and that was "The Boys Next Door." I had never heard of or seen this film anywhere before. After I got home I immediately popped in in my DVD player and I haven't gone a day without seeing it since!

Robert Sean Leonard, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance, and Nathan Lane are the "The Boys Next Door." 4 mentally challenged men who, together, make you laugh, cry, scratch your head,scream....you feel every emotion with these guys around. Lucian P. Singer, aka Courtney B. Vance, and Norman Bulanski, aka Nathan Lane, are developmentally challenged. Norman has an obsession with Donuts and keys. Look out! He also has a big crush on developmentally challenged Sheila, portrayed beautifully by Mare Winningham. Arnold Wiggins, aka Michael Jeter, is manic depressive and has recently purchased 9 boxes of Wheaties, 7 heads of lettuce and a bag of Charcol Biqquets, which come in and out of the story the whole length of the film. And then there's Barry. Barry Klempur is schizophrenic (however you spell it!) and has himself convinced he's a golf pro. He has had a rough relationship with him family and when he learns his father is coming to visit him for the first time in ages, it sends him into a tailspin. Tony Goldywn is Jack, their social worker and best friend. He is their solid rock, their lighthouse in the storm, their....you get the point. Without Jack, their world would fall to pieces.

And he knows it too. Jack is feeling guilty about leaving his wife out of his life, which is made up of these 4 guys, and is strongly considering taking a different job, car leasing. It all begins to go down hill when Jack springs the news on his boys. They don't think of themselves as his "job." Who wants to be thought of as a "JOB?" "You tell the good news, you announce the bad stuff," as Barry tells Lucian, moments before Jack's "big announcement." Shortly after Jack's telling them, Barry's father arrives, which, in turn, puts Barry on the 6th floor.

The remaining "Boys Next Door," throw Jack a big surprise party. Jack swings by the hospital and picks up a still shaken Barry and takes him to the house. Arnold has decorated the house with ANYTHING he could find, and bought animal puppets so you are "now 3 guests at a party instead of one!" Everything goes well until Jack tries to explain he's not going to be around anymore. Barry blurts it out "He's leaving you forever! He's leaving me and not coming back!" The guys start crying and Barry walks out. Arnold rounds the boys up and tells them that they're taking the train to Russia! Jack can't stand for this....I've said too much. You'll just have to watch to find out the rest.

I adore "The Boys Next Door." I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone! WATCH IT! 5 stars all the way!