Review By: Jonathan W. Hickman
Is it because as a child in the 1980s, I was a Reagan-loving political junkie? Or is it that the young men in “Boys State” are so articulate, intelligent, and charismatic that their passion infected me? Whatever the reason, I was captivated by this documentary. It’s the best thing to watch on any platform this weekend.
In “Boys State” six film crews tracked the events of the 2018 Texas Boys State, a week-long camp in Austin at the state’s capital. The married filmmaking team of co-directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss follow the chronology of the events. We’re introduced to the process first.
The American Legion has sponsored Boys State since 1935. It’s an annual event comprised of rising high school seniors in states around the county. A thousand young men (and separately young women) gather in Austin to form a government and pass a policy platform.
The opening title sequence features archived photos of famous participants, including future president Bill Clinton and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. We meet the present applicants as local Legion chapters interview the boys.
Eventually, the narrative settles on a select few key players. The stout, quiet Steven Garza, enters the frame boarding the bus with a backpack. An adult asks him whether his mother brought him, and he says, no, she’s working. The cocky, athletic Robert MacDougall introduces himself with a story about buying bitcoin. Patting his new cowboy boots, he says they were purchased with his investment.
Then we meet Ben Feinstein, a double-amputee, whose personal struggles have propelled him to do something great. He’s a political junkie with an affinity for all things Ronald Reagan. His polar opposite, politically, is the charismatic René Otero, one of the events few African American participants, but possibly its most fearsome competitor.
The boys are split into two political parties—the Federalists and the Nationalists. Robert, Steven, and René are members of the Nationalists, and Feinstein is a Federalist. The film carefully tracks both parties’ efforts to select leaders and decide on policy issues to pursue between both groups.
The loud, attractive, financially comfortable Robert immediately grabs the attention of the Nationalists. He appears well on his way to capturing the leadership position, that of his parties nominee for Governor. But slowly, things begin to turn, as the unassuming Steven carefully makes his rounds.
A handshake, a simple question, “what are the issues that are important to you?” Steven seems to care about each and every boy he talks with, and it’s so genuine that the boys begin to take him seriously. Soon Steven has supporters, some of which are unlikely compatriots. It melted my heart to see Steven being embraced physically by a tall, white country boy with a deep song voice. And the progress doesn’t stop there.
René, whose political views skew liberal, initially, seems to be opposed to the Second Amendment loving herd. But through the power of authentic speech and genuine intellectual prowess, the Nationalists choose him to lead their party as chairman. A rocky road awaits.
Meanwhile, the Federalists elect Ben as chairman. Maybe it’s his personal story of physical disability that initially captures their imagination, but his savvy political abilities propel him to office. Ben is ruthless and measured and a force to be reckoned with.
Thematically, it’s impossible to ignore comparisons between the mock elections in this documentary and today’s political landscape. What’s encouraging is how these young men work hard to overcome their differences and find commonalities. If our young people can put aside petty arguments and focus on substance, can’t the adults do the same?
There are many moments in “Boys State” that brought me to tears. I’d be lying if I didn’t think that the film’s star is the humble, future politician Steven. His ground-game is like no other, and like Bill Clinton, this little boy holds you in the palm of his hand. In one persuasive speech, he goes from soft-spoken to unabashed, soaring orator. It’s one of the most amazing transformations I’ve seen on screen in some time.
Equally surprising is that McBaine and Moss were able to capture the astonishing, honest moments over one week’s filming. Sure, there was a lot of preparation involved, and they filmed the initial interview process before the event’s week. Still, as a finished feature film, “Boys State” stands as an impressive example of the potential of the cinéma vérité format.
Having already won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Boys State” is a likely contender for the Oscar. It’s also one of the most entertaining and essential films to watch during this politically polarized time.
“Boys State” is available now on Apple TV+.
