“the choice between good and evil”
by: Anthony Howell

For a low rate movie that probably had little less than $40,000 invested in it, I have only two words to describe it, magnificently brilliant. This action/comedy film about two Irish brothers who mistakenly think they are blessed, after succeeding in a fight for their life with two nasty Russian mobsters. The movie’s setting is South Boston on St. Patrick’s Day, which is ironic because Boston is home to thousands of people from an Irish decent with Catholicism as their main religion. This comes into account later on in the film bringing up questions on the morality of life.

Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus play Murphy and Conner MacManus, and its truly believable roles that they inhabit. As the theme of the clumsy heroes has been used many times, never has a story of heroes, who by a series of coincidences win the day, been put together with so much originality and flair like in Boondock Saints. The movie opens with a scene in a church were everyone is saying the Lord’s prayer. Also praying is the two brothers. There is a narrator but you do not know whom until the end of the movie. “On I west my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgement, I will take vengeance upon thy enemies and I will pay those who haze me. Oh Lord, raise me to thy right hand and count me among thy saints.”

The two brothers go around from day to day “cleaning up the streets” of evil men, low life’s, scum bags, mobsters, vigilante style. This movie employs a messed up time frame system, which jumps from day to day always leaving you guessing, but comes together in the end. You see the two brothers about to begin their vigilante spree then it fades, then opens again with the aftermath where the cops are on the scene mopping everything up and you find Paul Smecker (William Dafoe) narrating exactly what happened. Although this time cut scene is becoming overused in movies today, it is used to fantastic effect in this film, it brings the story extra layers and meanings it would not have had otherwise.

The MacManus brothers, Conner and Murphy, are portrayed in the film as if they were one person. References from characters in the movie, suggest that they are what they seem to be, angels. In times of danger, both brothers’ posses inhuman powers, which can also be proven to be real in times of danger. That is left for you to decide. Through their experiences they begin to believe who or what they really are and through the death of David Della Rocca, it only boosts their egos into doing what they do best, clean the city of all the evil men. Throughout the movie the brothers have a similar tattoo on their finger and hand. Murphy has a tattoo on his left hand and Conner has one on his right. Once again indicating their presence as one. The tattoo states, “VERITAS” and “AEQUITAS”, this is Latin for “truth” and “justice”, which is what these brothers are fighting for throughout the movie.

Paul Smecker (William Dafoe) is a good FBI agent, who reads everything to the letter of a crime scene while listening, to what I think is, Italian opera. He only gets better at every crime scene but starts to loose his cool when the MacManus brothers get even more successful. He begins to ask himself the question that is arising through these crimes of compassion. Are these boys right or wrong for what they are doing? Through his self search for some answers he stumbles upon a church late one night and comes to the realization that what these brothers are doing is correct. He is quoted to saying, “All the things he wishes he can do, these guys are doing it” Near the end of the film he comes to realize that he must join them because what they are doing is right.

The movie itself asks a morale question that is brought up everyday in society, who decides who punishes evil and to what extent. This question is never really answered but it is shown heavily on one side of the spectrum. Right before the trial in the end of the film of Papa Joe, a head mobster, there are two reporters talking, “He’s going to walk and there is nothing we can do. Even with all this evidence against him, he is going to walk. And there is nothing we can do about this.” Which is followed from what I believe is a quote from the bible spoken by the narrator; “Never shall innocent blood be shed yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river. The three shall spread their blackened wings and be the vengeance strike and hammer from God.”

Although there is a high level of violence and profanity, it never becomes annoying. There are moments in this film where I laughed, especially after hearing a 74-year-old bartender with turret syndrome talk. It is a really funny film, packed with a constant level of amused anger. It is a real surprise for such a small budget movie but with a witty and intelligent script and perfectly done performances, it is kind of hard to believe that so many people overlooked this movie. I liked this film and would suggest anyone (over the age of 18) to go and see it!