The Boys of St. Vincent

Does have the trappings of a TV movie but the story is compellingly told and Czerny's brilliant portrayal of pure, remorseless evil is something to see.

The look and feel is very much that of a made for TV movie, but the script is surprisingly well done. Henry Czerny is perfectly cast, and all the young actors do fine jobs. For a 90s TV movie, the sexual scenes are shockingly detailed. This is an uncomfortable movie, which means it works precisely as it intends to.

This is one of the rare cases of a movie having its thunder stolen by current events. Just from the frigging DVD case, you know damn well what The Deep Dark Secret is of what's going on at St. Vincent's orphanage. Slow pace, and too many lingering shots of young boys' behinds

Czerny gives a truly inspired performance as the self-loathing monster. The emotional agony is excruciating to watch and be forwarned that the depiction of the sexual abuse is unflinching.

It does a good job of relating the emotional impact of the events upon which it is based. The cinematography and music are weak (I guess this played in theaters though it's clearly a TV production), but Henry Czerny is great and some of the kids are alright too.