A quiet weekend camping trip provides the backdrop for unexpected discoveries in Big Boys. Jamie is a reserved 14-year-old embarking on his annual family outing at Lake Arrowhead with his cousin Allie, brother Will, and Allie’s boyfriend Dan in tow. While Jamie eagerly prepares culinary delights for the group, an uninvited guest in Dan temporarily dampens his enthusiasm.
Yet it’s in the solitude of nature that one finds clarity. As the days unfold, Jamie is opening his eyes to life’s complexities in a way only possible through experiences shared with others. Dan’s supportive nature helps Jamie see past superficial judgments of people. Their budding friendship offers an example of accepting individuals for who they are inside rather than out.
For Jamie, this journey inward takes courage. Subtle changes unfold as long-buried feelings surface, giving new dimensions to how he views himself and relationships. Peer pressure and societal constraints fade into the background in the contemplative stillness of the forest. There, one hears the true heartbeat free from externals, leading to self-awareness that can release buried potential.
Though the destination remains unclear, Jamie’s hiking path now points in a southerly direction. This coming-of-age story celebrates the small moments when we dare to be real with one another, finding our place through the reflection in another soul.
Understanding Ourselves
The film centers around fourteen-year-old Jamie, an introspective teen exploring who he is. While most boys his age are into sports, Jamie expresses himself through cooking. He takes great care in preparing flavorful dishes and seems at peace nurturing his culinary skills. Yet beneath Jamie’s thoughtful nature lie uncertainties, as he finds himself drawn to his cousin’s boyfriend, Dan, during a family camping trip.
Joining Jamie on the trip is his boisterous brother Will, who delights in teasing Jamie. But their bond remains caring beneath the surface. Also along is their cousin Allie, whose cheerful spirit works to keep the peace. It’s Allie’s boyfriend, Dan, a kind soul, whose arrival most concerns Jamie. Within Dan, Jamie sees a role model of sorts and can’t ignore the sparks of something more.
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As the boys set up camp, Dan makes efforts to welcome Jamie, seeing past surface judgments. His compassion starts helping Jamie see himself with new eyes. Days unfold, bringing Jamie closer to Dan, yet waking up difficult feelings. Fantasies emerge of intimacy with the object of his desire. Meanwhile, Will pushes Jamie towards romance, unaware of his true nature.
Tension grows as Jamie conflicts with wanting to please Will while yearning to understand the longing within. A hike alone with Dan brings matters to a head, and Jamie gains clarity on who he is through another’s caring reflection. By the journey’s end, Jamie finds courage for honest self-expression, guided by respect from others who see his worth beyond externals.
Big Boys highlights life’s moments affirming our belonging as we accept ourselves through compassion from fellow travelers on life’s adventure of continuous discovery.
Growing Pains
A big part of Big Boys’ appeal centers on its thoughtful look at teenage development. Jamie finds himself confronting major themes that shape who we become.
When it comes to sexuality, the weekend away stirs unfamiliar feelings in Jamie. Drawn to older, masculine Dan, he’s left grappling with what it means. Dan’s kind, patient nature eases Jamie’s worries, but it’s still a journey of self-discovery. His talk with Dan by the lake shows a boy gaining self-acceptance.
Body image is also shattering Jamie’s concept of manhood. Heavyset himself, he idolizes buff hunks like Dan and the guy the guy next door. But Dan helps chip away at strict ideals, stressing character over appearance. His words clearly lift Jamie’s self-esteem.
Family plays a role too. Allie dotes on Jamie, protective where brother Will bullies. Still, there’s affection between the brothers beneath the barbs. And Nicole backs Jamie completely, a safety net helping him spread his wings. Peer dynamics arise from Jamie’s discomfort around Will’s brash pals.
Erika offers solace through shared awkwardness, with kindred souls finding solidarity. Support networks prove pivotal as teenagers branch out. Big Boys delves into how formative years shape who we love and see in the mirror. With sensitive portrayals, it shines light on shared rites of passage affecting us all.
Own Experiences, Universal Themes
Big Boys feels so authentic because Corey Sherman crafted it from his own life. He based the film on a camping trip in his youth, bringing that visceral nostalgia to audiences. We see Jamie’s experience represented in a way most queer youth have never seen before.
For gay viewers, this movie strikes incredibly close to home. The confused feelings, wrestling with identity, fear of not fitting in—Jamie embraces all the familiar parts of a young man exploring his sexuality. And having that mirror to hold up makes a big difference. It’s empowering to see your own story, not as a side plot, but at the center of the narrative.
This specificity is part of what makes Big Boys resonate so broadly, too. We’ve all been at that awkward age, grappling with changing bodies and desires. Figuring out who we are while facing society’s narrow ideas of what a “man” is supposed to be. Dan provides a kinder image, encouraging Jamie to feel comfortable in his own skin.
Cousin Allie and brother Will feel authentic too. Their natural interactions capture the caring and complexity that family brings. Sherman understands that both supportive and troubling dynamics can exist with the same people. And Erika and other characters avoid stereotypes, emerging as whole individuals.
Mostly, it’s the performances that give Big Boys its heart. Isaac Krasner imbues Jamie with earnestness that’s impossible not to adore. And the cast brings these characters to life with a casual realism that makes their journey ours. Even in painful observations, Big Boys finds the sweetness of what unites us all: the shared experience of growing up.
Bringing the Story to Life
This film really comes alive thanks to some outstanding performances. Isaac Krasner as Jamie is just tremendous; he perfectly captures the messy complexity of a young teen trying to figure himself out. You completely empathize with Jamie through Krasner’s subtle, nuanced work.
Whether he’s happily packing supplies, nervously chatting up Dan, or awkwardly dodging Erika’s advances, Krasner ensures you’re right there experiencing it all alongside Jamie. You can see him viscerally wrestling with feelings he doesn’t quite understand. It’s so authentic, it feels like peering directly into someone’s raw adolescence.
The supporting cast is strong too. Taj Cross nails Will’s teasing older brother role, while Dora Madison and David Johnson bring warmth to cousin Allie and her boyfriend Dan. Their characters become people Jamie genuinely cares about.
And special praise goes to Marion Van Cuyck, who makes Erika into so much more than a stereotype, bringing real depth to her scenes with Jamie. You really believe in these fully-formed individuals and their dynamics.
Director Corey Sherman gets the most from these great performances through his skilled work. He uses the beautiful California lake setting to create feeling through imagery, like when Jamie lingers gazing at Dan or when the two share a pivotal walk alone.
The score by Will Wiesenfeld adds so much emotion, whether amplifying sweet moments or tense ones. And editing keeps things moving at just the right pace, whether for drama, comedy, or intimacy.
It’s clear Sherman told this story with huge care, respect, and understanding of these characters’ experiences. That compassion really shines through in both the performances and Sherman’s handling of them. Authentic doesn’t even begin to describe how real this world feels.
Finding Yourself on Screen
Big Boys handles some truly universal experiences. I think most people can relate to that phase of adolescence—you’re flooded with confusing feelings and trying to figure out who you are.
Jamie’s story in particular will resonate with so many queer kids out there. Dealing with sexuality while also dealing with society’s rigid definitions of masculinity can’t be easy. And I’m sure more than a few folks remember pining after someone just slightly out of reach.
The movie does such a great job of putting you right back in those awkward moments. It becomes a funhouse mirror, reflecting how we all felt at that age. There’s laughter in recognizing ourselves, but also comfort in seeing how normal it all was.
I think giving young queer viewers a story like Jamie’s could make a big impact. So many of us didn’t have on-screen characters who felt quite like us when we were growing up. Big Boys shows Jamie’s journey with such compassion that it might help folks feel less alone.
And it’s not just for queer viewers. Any kid struggling to figure themselves out could gain perspective from this movie. We’ve all experienced that messy intersection of angst, hormone craziness, and social pressures.
If Big Boys finds a wide audience, I think it could start some really important conversations. It treats its topic with such care, humor, and understanding. In the process, it just might help younger viewers feel a little more optimistic about navigating their own self-discovery.
Finding the Way Forward
You know, I really have to hand it to Corey Sherman with Big Boys. Taking a story as personal as a young guy’s awakening and bringing it to screen with such compassion—that can’t have been easy. But it’s clear he did right by the people this film means most to.
Jamie is such a lovely, authentic character. And Isaac Krasner just nails it—you can feel every one of that kid’s emotions. It gave me goosebumps to see such an underrepresented experience handled with real care. I think a lot of queer youth will see themselves in Jamie. And maybe seeing how his trip ends will give some hope.
This film deserves all the praise it gets. Finally, we’re shining a light on lives we don’t often get to witness. The festivals will lap it up, I’m sure—and rightly so. Because who doesn’t want to root for a sweet kid like Jamie?
Corey’s really set Krasner up with a star-making role here too. The kid is going places; I can feel it. And I bet there’ll be more great parts opening up for both of them after this.
At its heart, though, Big Boys is just a simple snapshot of what it’s like to be that age. Figuring out who you are while the world tells you who to be. I’m glad Jamie got the space here to find his own way without having all the answers already. Who doesn’t wish they could relive moments like that with a little more understanding now?
Overall, it left me feeling hopeful. And I think for anyone drawn to Jamie’s journey, it will too.
The Review
Big Boys
With insightful observations of adolescence and sexuality handled with nuanced care, Big Boys proves a worthy addition to the coming-of-age canon. At its heart lies an authentic, engaging protagonist in Jamie, brought to rich life through Isaac Krasner's breakout performance. Director Corey Sherman tells an underrepresented story with empathy, crafting a thoughtful, impactful snapshot of self-discovery.
PROS
- Authentic portrayal of the LGBTQ+ youth experience
- Compassionate handling of sensitive topics
- Breakout lead performance from Isaac Krasner
- Subtle and nuanced storytelling
- Gives space for an overlooked coming-of-age journey.
CONS
- Some generic scenes don't add much.
- Possible risk of being seen as a niche
