At some point, we all experience some kind of awakening in various forms, where we suddenly realize where we fit into this confusing and challenging world, and take the necessary steps to integrate ourselves into our respective niches or communities, should they be available. For some, this is a smooth process in which one slides easily into the societal status quo, but for others, it is a more daunting and challenging process, particularly for those who don’t quite meet the ideal criteria. Corey Sherman is fascinated by this concept, as evident in his feature directorial debut Big Boys, a simple but evocative film that follows Jamie, a 14-year-old boy who has seemingly nestled comfortably in his niche, enjoying hobbies that may not be expected from a teenage boy, but which still give him a sense of joy. This begins to change when he goes with his brother and cousin on a camping trip, the latter being accompanied by her boyfriend, with whom Jamie finds himself immediately smitten. Not having ever considered his sexual identity before, the protagonist discovers that he is developing feelings that he quite simply cannot control, which creates a quiet tension between the young man and his new travelling companion, contrasted with his brother’s fervent efforts to undergo his romantic pursuits. A beautiful, engaging blend of comedy and drama that is exceptionally heartfelt and deeply meaningful, Big Boys is an incredible film, handcrafted by a director whose compassion and affection for the subject matter shines in every moment, taking us on a vibrant and meaningful journey into a subject that may be common, but yet still feels fresh and endearing when filtered through such an empathetic perspective. This is a subtle film in terms of both concept and execution, but the details that exist right at the core of the narrative keep us engaged and enthralled throughout, guiding the viewer through this tender and meaningful voyage into the mind of a complex protagonist as he discovers the nature of life and comes to terms with some of the unexpected realities that are fundamental to his future and how he chooses to define himself and his experiences.

The coming-of-age narrative has existed in literature for about as long as stories have been told. The process of growing up and developing your identity is a tale as old as time, and it is often considered a universal experience, despite every one of us having different paths that are tailor-made to our specific environments and circumstances. Big Boys is a film that does not attempt to redefine the genre or do anything we have not encountered on previous occasions. Instead, it functions as a simple and effective story of a young boy navigating his adolescent years, attempting to make sense of the changes that are happening to him – not only is he physically developing into a young man, but also discovering that there is an inner voice that is bursting to come out, waiting for him to realize his true identity, which is not an easy process. Sherman makes some very compelling choices with how he defines the journey that Jamie is on, following his efforts to understand these urges and emotions that he had never previously encountered, but which he knows are important and need to be processed, even when he does not know where to start. Queer desire is another theme that has become quite common in recent years, and which is seamlessly woven into the fabric of this film, with the protagonist having his first romantic revelation when presented with this new companion who he is initially hesitant to embrace as anything more than an obstacle to a pleasant trip, but who proves to be a vital piece in the ongoing construction of his teenage years. This is not a film about romance – there is very little actual depiction of physical love outside of a few throwaway jokes and one dream sequence – but rather a story of longing, and how the feeling of falling in love with someone who we know can never love us back, or who we are too afraid to admit our feelings towards can be a difficult experience, but an important one in terms of developing our own identities and forging a path forward in which a more open, joyful life can be lived at some point in the future. Adolescence is about awkwardly shuffling around your emotions as you attempt to make sense of a confusing world, and Big Boys represents this perfectly.

There is such a profound humanity to Big Boys that comes from how Sherman develops the characters to be as far from stereotypes as possible. We’ve become quite dependent on the idea of these stories being driven by archetypes, that when we are suddenly confronted by a set of characters who are entirely convincing, it can feel like an epiphany. A large portion of this comes in the development of the two central characters, both of whom are exceptionally well-developed, with Sherman actively finding ways to subvert our expectations by crafting them to be much more complex and nuanced. Without any question, Isaac Krasner is the beating heart of the film, which is made even more impressive considering it is his debut performance. His quiet confidence, impeccable comedic timing and ability to play into the heartfelt dramatic moments without becoming hysterical or inauthentic are extraordinary, and he works closely with the director to create a character that is not merely a bundle of common tropes associated with the coming-of-age narrative (with the fact that he is an overweight teenager questioning his sexuality only being one of the many layers from which the role is constructed), leading to one of the year’s most powerful and endearing performances. Similarly, David Johnson III is also subjected to the same amount of artistic scrutiny – and in many ways, this role is even more difficult, since he is playing the object of the protagonist’s affections, but with the knowledge that the character is not going to suddenly shift gears and reciprocate the same feelings, but also not become repelled at the very idea, which is a narrow conceptual tightrope that Sherman and his actors deftly navigate, creating an unforgettable and deeply captivating set of characters that feel authentic and honest, which is an immensely satisfying experience, since we only become more invested in their journey of self-discovery and burgeoning friendship.

There are several areas to which Big Boys needed to pay close attention to avoid becoming yet another solid but unremarkable entry into the canon of coming-of-age films about queer desire. On the surface, it seems relatively unfurnished and straightforward, but it’s this simplicity that ultimately fosters the growing sense of complexity that eventually overtakes the film and makes it a much more layered, compelling affair. Part of the impact made by this film is its emotional inventory – it would have been exceptionally easy for the film to be a heavy-handed bundle of overwrought moments, designed to stir a reaction but leave very little long-lasting impression, focusing on the precise moment of delivery rather than the aftermath. Sherman goes in the other direction – the moments themselves are entertaining, but their underlying meaning only becomes clear as the film progresses and everything begins to come together. Seemingly arbitrary comments or actions accumulate to form a poignant portrait of a young protagonist desperately trying to make his way through a world he simply cannot understand, but which he knows he needs to overcome if he wants to feel any sense of belonging. Each moment of Big Boys is simple and subtle, gingerly put in place by a director who understands the importance of nuance when crafting this narrative, and how the smallest cues are vital since they ultimately come together to form enormous revelations, many of which are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen in years. The sheer humanity that underpins this film and makes it such a deeply captivating work of queer storytelling is incredible, and the director’s ability to effortlessly blend comedy and drama in a way that is neither flippant nor overly sentimental is an incredible skill, and worth every moment of our time.

Big Boys is proof that reinvention is not always necessary and that a simple story told with precision and heart is more than enough to justify a work of art as incredibly poetic. There is a profound elegance that drives this film, even if it does appear quite rudimentary in its aesthetic and plot progression – often, it is these more subtle and nuanced examinations of human relationships that tend to be the most profound since they touch on the most raw and realistic of emotions. The film seamlessly balances heartfelt humour and moving drama, oscillating between them as we follow the protagonist as he gradually comes to terms with his own identity, which proves to be a daunting but ultimately rewarding process since it reveals a side of him that he had yet to entirely unearth, his journey to comprehending these new feelings being riveting. I suspect Big Boys is a film that will resonate immensely with a large portion of the audience – there’s something so beautiful and universal about this tender depiction of longing, especially the kind that we know will not result in the expected conclusion where the protagonist wins over the object of his affections, but still has a happy ending, particularly since we realize the purpose of this film was not to tell the story of a young man falling in love with someone who is not available to him, but rather building the courage to live authentically and with sincerity, which is a far more poignant victory, and something that feels exceptionally profound and compelling. Sherman and the entire cast have promising futures ahead of them – there is such charm embedded in every frame of this film, which is a truly poignant and heartwarming endeavour and a film that tells a story that we can all recognize in a way that is earnest and sincere, and extraordinarily resonant to anyone who has ever questioned their identity or what the future holds, both difficult questions that ultimately give us more insights into a world we can never truly comprehend, but which we still can appreciate for its many enigmatic mysteries.