it very easy to criticise a film like for the boy and after all it be sentimental and there be sing and a sure fire vote killer . despite this i like it and in fact i more than like it . why because it have a heart it may be sentimental sometimes but it work and the singing work and and there isn not that much of it . the reason this film really work be bette midler that age old phrase a tour de force be the only thing that you can say and the woman be fantastic . sassy and vulnerable and move . she bring to the part a great depth and an impressive range of emotion and most of which be underplayed and make them all the more powerful for it . well deserve of her oscar nomination and a little robbed not be choose a the winner . james cann be also very good and the production value be high well write and all in all much good than you might think . yes there be some dodgy bit like the old age make up and though the makeup in the sixty be well and the end be weak and it be a pity to go out with a whimper consider the rest of the film have such ball . these though be not enough to spoil the film .