Funny Boy (2020): Cast & Ratings
Funny Boy is a 2020 drama directed by Deepa Mehta, starring Brandon Ingram as Older Arjie, Orlando Giraldo and Seema Biswas. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Deepa Mehta
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- ARRAY Releasing
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Funny Boy About?
The premise of Funny Boy without spoilers.
Set in 1970s Sri Lanka, a time of increasing political unrest between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities, this coming-of-age story follows a young boy named Arjie. He grapples with his growing understanding of his own sexuality while navigating a society that struggles with difference and acceptance. The film portrays his poignant search for self-love and belonging amidst the escalating tensions and cultural clashes of the era, exploring themes of identity and family.
Funny Boy Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- gay
- gay teenager
- sri lanka
- gay interest
- gay kid
- sexual awakening
- coming of age
- civil war
- train
- train whistle
- running on the beach
- cute kids singing
+36 more Show fewer
- name calling
- polishing brass
- cassette player
- singing
- toe painting
- nail polish
- playing piano
- singing lessons
- chess board
- toes
- windshield wipers
- rain
- dancing
- dancing boy
- driving in the rain
- climbing stairs
- learning to knit
- knitting
- woman on the train
- slapped in the face
- flip flops
- sandals
- cow
- calling someone a bitch
- little boy
- playing
- beach
- bridge the card game
- chess
- cricket the sport
- teenager
- teenage boy
- 1980s
- love
- boy
- girl
Funny Boy Cast & Characters
Brandon Ingram leads the cast as Older Arjie, with Orlando Giraldo as Man with Hockey Bag and Seema Biswas as Ammachi. Directed by Deepa Mehta; 12 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Deepa Mehta
- Brandon Ingram as Older Arjie
- Orlando Giraldo as Man with Hockey Bag
-
Seema Biswas as Ammachi -
Agam Darshi as Radha
Also Starring in Funny Boy
· 8 more- Ali Kazmi Appa
- Nimmi Harasgama Amma
- Peter Cockett TV Announcer
- David Hamilton Male Club Member
- Arush Nand Young Arjie
- Ruvin De Silva Anil
- Shivantha Wijesinha Jegan
- Rehan Mudannayake Shehan
Funny Boy Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Funny Boy 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Funny Boy Echo Score Breakdown
Funny Boy presents a largely successful coming-of-age narrative marked by strong emotional and visual elements. Critics praise its open-hearted portrayal of young love and the film’s elegant pacing, while only occasional commentary highlights a tendency toward melodramatic contrasts and cultural generalizations. Audience feedback notes some uneven pacing and fidelity to source material. On balance, the film offers a heartfelt and visually appealing experience despite minor narrative shortcomings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, Funny Boy is distinguished by its elegant visual composition and thoughtful framing. Reviewers note expressive camera work and polished production design that support the story’s emotional tone. Editing transitions are measured and unobtrusive, reinforcing narrative clarity. Overall, the film’s visual craftsmanship consistently enhances its thematic depth.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character and emotion, Funny Boy offers deeply felt performances that convey tenderness and inner conflict. The central romance resonates through nuanced acting and credible chemistry, while supporting roles contribute authentic emotional stakes. Some viewers mention occasional underdevelopment of minor figures, but overall the film achieves a persuasive emotional connection with its protagonists.
- Story & Flow 70
In terms of story and flow, Funny Boy unfolds at a gentle pace that underscores its introspective qualities. The narrative engages with themes of prejudice and coming-of-age, earning praise for its thoughtful messaging and cultural commentary. However, some critics find moments of melodramatic contrast and generalized context that dilute the story’s impact. Overall, the plot remains engaging but uneven.
- Sensory Experience 80
When it comes to sensory experience, Funny Boy employs an understated score and clean sound design that support the film’s reflective tone. The visual style features a cohesive color palette and measured mise-en-scène that highlight emotional beats. While the soundtrack is generally effective, some viewers note limited musical variety. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the film’s contemplative mood.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch value, Funny Boy offers lasting appeal through its emotional core and thematic resonance. Viewers may revisit key relationship moments and cultural insights that linger beyond the initial screening. However, the film’s restrained pacing and occasional narrative unevenness could temper repeated viewings. On balance, the movie provides a meaningful experience with moderate replay potential.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 81% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 22%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 0.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 2.9 /5
See on Movie Insider
Funny Boy Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Funny Boy.
Funny Boy Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “퍼니 보이” and “滑稽小子”.
- Also known as
-
- 퍼니 보이
- 滑稽小子
Seen Funny Boy?
Movies Like Funny Boy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Stupid Boy, Boy and Boys.
Funny Boy FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Funny Boy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Funny Boy?
Funny Boy runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Funny Boy released?
Funny Boy was released on December 10, 2020.
Who directed Funny Boy?
Funny Boy was directed by Deepa Mehta.
More films by Deepa Mehta Who is in the cast of Funny Boy?
Funny Boy stars Brandon Ingram as Older Arjie, Orlando Giraldo as Man with Hockey Bag and Seema Biswas as Ammachi, among 12 credited actors.
How is Funny Boy rated?
Funny Boy has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.
Does Funny Boy have a post-credit scene?
No. Funny Boy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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