Sadly Over-hyped

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

A different way of telling a story

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

The Bra BoysDirectors: Sunny Abberton, Macario De Souza Writer: Sunny Abberton Producers: Sunny Abberton, Michael Lawrence Executive producers: Jason Bergh, Sal Masakela, Michael Lythcott, Nicholas Cook, Michael Lawrence, John Mossop Directors of photography: Macario De Souza, Brook Silvester Music: Jamie Holt Narrator: Russell CroweBra boys is a personal documentary on the Australian surfing group called Bra boys who are centered in the Sydney Suburb called Maroubra, also Narrated by Russel Crowe. It is mostly revolved around the Abberton brothers Sunny, Koby, Jai Abberton and Dakota. The four brothers share three different fathers with a mother as a heroin addict and a boyfriend who is a thief. Even though they don't have a strong mother or father figure they have there grandmother Mavis "Ma" Abberton who they all adore. Her home is one block from the beach and isn't just welcome to her grandsons also to there friends.It's a very one eyed view documentary directed by Macario De Souza and one of the Abberton brothers Sunny. You get to see there side of the story not just the medias. Maroubra is a suburb that happens to be a breeding ground for expert pro-surfers, many of them are from public housing and broken families. Bra boy shows an interesting overview of the historical clash between surfers and authorities and also the Abberton brothers dealing with maybe losing two brothers to jail. The bra boys call themselves a tribe while the media call them a "gang". You can understand while the media would recall them gang, by all the trouble they course like example one of the bra boys was having a 21st party while the police where having a Christmas party in the same place but upstairs. When they clashed it turned into a big brawl with 44 policemen getting injured and 8 bra boys getting arrested by the police. The bra boys only show there side of the story to this but this wouldn't be the only drunken brawl they would've have. You see how Jai and Koby both almost end up in jail and what they go through before they find out there sentence, an also relief they feel when they don't have to live a sentence in jail. By there sense of relief they go and surf they biggest waves they have in there life and realise to live life to the fullest and not to take life for granted. By watching this movie even though it is very biased you see how there not just really a "gang". They are also a group of great friends who would do anything for each other. It is even touching to see how much they all adore and love there grandmother ma. It might not be a high budget film but you get to see there side to there story and how they live there lives. The Abberton brothers didn't have much at all while being brought up but they have made there own success and money especially Koby who is now one of the biggest big wave surfers in the world. I recommend people to watch this movie because it can make you think differently of the bra boys and see how there not just a gang there a brotherhood.Liv GYC

The film 'Bra Boys' begins by describing the settlement of the Maroubra area and goes on to detail the often chaotic living situations of some of the areas younger citizens. From then on the story follows the journey of the Abberton brothers - Sunny, Koby and Jai - as they face court cases, gang violence and some massive waves.While I can appreciate the rags-to-riches story of the Abberton brothers, for me the story never really seemed to hit home. This may be because of the negative stigma that often goes hand-in-hand with the Bra Boys. However, I believe it is much more simple than that: it is a poorly directed and edited film. Too often was I distracted by the uneven sound, sub-par camera work and jumpy interview sequences.Yet, the film really shines when it is left to people other than the Abberton brothers to describe the various incidents through their own retelling. This balances the film nicely, rather than have Koby or Jai recount their own court cases and possibly omit certain details. Another element that enhances this film is the surf footage, which really is the tie that binds all these 'Bra Boys' together.But I found that the negatives far outweighed the positives for this film. It provides an interesting insight into one of Australia's most notoriously tight-knit surf cultures, yet the Abberton influence raises questions of bias regarding the various events which envelop his brothers. For me, this film was interesting but far from great.

I heard Bra Boys was a gang related story and straight away was not interested in seeing it even though a few friends had seen it and they had said it was a good movie I still had my doubts. After being reluctant to see it I gave in to the temptation that if there were so many good comments it can not be that bad. Bra Boys was one of those few movies you come across that take you on an emotional roller coaster ride, often feeling anxiety as the story unfolds. The movie was a fantastic achievement especially from one of the family members the movie revolves around and inspires greatness in all of us if we choose to make an effort in life. A very good documentary and well worth seeing, In the end I was glad I went to see it.

i have been out of Australia for several years and had not heard of the bra boys although i have been to maroubra beach as a young lifesaver in the early 90's.this documentary unravels to reveal quite a moving story of the Abberton bros. their struggle growing up, their love of their family & friends, surfing formidable waves and ultimately their fight for freedom.i enjoyed this documentary greatly and hope to see russell crowe involved in a movie based on these surfers lives.highly recommended