Face Boy is an unusual film about an unusual young man. Filmed entirely in Norway, Face Boy is a no-budget indie comedy/drama following the life of a peculiar young man who squats in the home of an unknown family. Written and directed by Leo Robertson, Face Boy was written by Robertson while he was in the midst of seeking an adult diagnosis of autism. As he embarked on documenting all of his quirky habits, eccentricities, and social awkwardness, Robertson crafted a compelling tale about a young man who is, quite simply, different. 

You can't help but feel like you're watching the filmmaker come to life as you're watching Sam Crichton's Face Boy, a tapestry of emotions and experiences marvelously realized in a difficult performance performed with mastery and remarkable transparency. Crichton, pretty much front-and-center for the entire 74-minute length of the film, doesn't just break the fourth wall - he smashes it in a way that vibrant, relentless, playful, and filled with a wide array of convincing, compelling emotions. 

If only for Crichton's remarkable performance, I would easily watch Face Boy again. 

Music by Tom Montgomery amplifies Robertson's storytelling and Robertson's own editing helps to create a pace that vacillates between infuriating and absolutely fascinating. 

Face Boy isn't the easiest film to describe despite the relative simplicity of Robertson's story. It's a film best experienced and for those who love the more experimental side of cinema it's easily worth a view to support an up-and-coming, grassroots filmmaker. 

As a bold cinematic statement, Face Boy is worth watching for Robertson's unique storytelling and for Crichton's fiercely engaging and memorable performance. While it's unlikely to be the best film you'll watch in 2024, it's definitely a film you're going to remember and most likely going to want to watch again. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic