The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)

Set in the vibrant yet stifling era of the 1970s, "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is a coming-of-age tale that follows the rebellious journey of four close-knit friends - the audacious leader Tim Sullivan, the imaginative Francis Doyle, the daring Wade Scalisi, and the loyal Joey Anderson. These adolescents, studying in a stern Catholic school in Savannah, find themselves constantly at odds with their austere nun-teacher, Sister Assumpta, a figure they both detest and fear. Francis, a gifted artist with a crush on the intriguingly complex Margie Flynn, creates a parallel universe in his notebooks, a captivating realm filled with comic-book heroes and villains. This fictional world is a refuge from their repressive education, where each friend takes on a heroic alter-ego: Brakken (Francis), The Muscle/Skeleton Boy (Tim), Captain Asskicker (Wade), and Major Screw (Joey). Later, Margie joins their fantastical adventures as Sorcerella. The wicked Nunzilla/Pegleg, a sinister caricature of Sister Assumpta, serves as their arch-nemesis, embodying the boys' rebellious spirit and their struggle against authority. Amidst the turmoil of adolescence, raging hormones, and the quest for meaning beyond their school walls, the boys concoct a daring prank against Sister Assumpta. This act of defiance, fueled by the confiscation of their treasured artwork, sets them on an obsessive path of revenge. However, the consequences prove to be far more profound and tragic than they could have ever imagined, forever altering their lives. The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is a vivid portrayal of youth in revolt, where reality and fantasy intertwine, and where the consequences of rebellion are both devastating and transformative.

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is a comedy movie featuring Emile Hirsch and directed by Peter Care.

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