Netflix viewers call Big Boys Don’t Cry a devastating but necessary true-crime drama
Some films are difficult to watch because of their subject matter. Big Boys Don’t Cry falls firmly into that category, with Netflix viewers describing the 2020 biographical crime drama as powerful, heartbreaking and emotionally devastating.
Starring Showtrial actor Michael Socha as Paul Connolly, the film tells the story of a man forced to confront the traumatic childhood he spent at the notorious St Leonard’s Children’s Home in Essex.
Based on true events, the film follows Paul after a police investigation connected to the death of his boyhood friend brings painful memories of his childhood back to the surface. Netflix describes the film as the story of a young man who grew up in an abusive children’s home and must revisit his past after his friend’s death triggers the investigation.
A difficult story rooted in real events
Paul Connolly was abandoned in a bin when he was just two weeks old and subsequently taken into care. His childhood at St Leonard’s Children’s Home was marked by physical and emotional abuse.
Big Boys Don’t Cry explores what happens when those experiences can no longer remain buried. As the investigation unfolds, Paul is forced to revisit memories of the home and confront the people connected to the trauma that shaped his early life.
The real Paul Connolly was involved in the production as an executive producer. The film draws on his experiences and follows his struggle to deal with the past while attempting to build a relationship with Anthea, played by Zoë Tapper. The British Council’s film database confirms Connolly as an executive producer and lists Michael Socha, Zoë Tapper, Mitchell Norman and Joshua Coombes among the principal cast.
Directed by Steve Crowhurst, the 90-minute film was produced by Kal Bonner, Tim Bonner, Sunita Mirchandani and Alex Scott.
Viewers warn that it is not an easy watch
The film has prompted strong reactions from viewers, many of whom have stressed just how emotionally demanding it can be.
One IMDb viewer described the experience as extremely uncomfortable, saying that the discomfort felt appropriate to the story being told. Another called the film a harrowing exploration of a difficult subject and said it was something audiences should see despite how hard it is to watch.
A further viewer described it as one of the most difficult and hard-hitting films they had seen.
Other reactions have focused on the film’s heartbreaking moments, with viewers saying some scenes left them in tears.
The response is consistent with the film’s official descriptions. Netflix categorises Big Boys Don’t Cry as a gritty, dark and emotional drama dealing with true crime, social issues and real-life events.
The film has also received recognition for its performances. The original article highlights Socha alongside familiar faces including his former The Haunting of Bly Manor co-star Amelia Eve, Bad Girls actor Victoria Alcock and Grace star Zoë Tapper.
The story behind the film
The events depicted in Big Boys Don’t Cry are connected to the history of St Leonard’s Children’s Home in Hornchurch, Essex.
The home became the subject of a police investigation in 1995 concerning allegations of sexual and physical abuse suffered by boys who had stayed there. Paul Connolly’s experiences formed the basis for his memoir and subsequently for the film.
The movie presents Paul’s story across different periods of his life, showing the lasting effect of his childhood experiences and the difficulty of confronting them years later.
Filmed across Kent
Although the story is rooted in Essex, much of Big Boys Don’t Cry was filmed in Kent.
The Kent Film Office lists Cliffe Woods, Deal, Higham and Gravesend as filming locations.
Scenes were filmed around Deal’s seafront and pier, while Gravesend and other parts of Kent were also used for the production. IMDb’s filming-location information specifically lists a beach, beach shelter, pier and fish-and-chip shop in Deal, along with locations in Cliffe Woods and Gravesend.
The film was completed in 2020 and later received its UK release, including a special charity screening at Everyman Cinema in Chelmsford on September 5, 2022. The Kent Film Office subsequently confirmed that it became available to stream on Netflix.
Paul Connolly’s life beyond the film
Paul Connolly has continued to speak publicly about his childhood experiences and their impact.
He has released memoirs about his life and has shared his experiences at charity events, helping raise awareness and support for causes connected with children and victims of historical abuse.
His story ultimately became the basis for Big Boys Don’t Cry, giving the film a personal connection to the events it portrays. Connolly’s involvement in the production also helped bring his experiences directly into the making of the movie.
Watch the trailer
The official Big Boys Don’t Cry trailer was released by Screenbound Pictures in 2020 and runs for around one minute and 17 seconds.
Big Boys Don’t Cry is a 2020 biographical crime drama directed by Steve Crowhurst. It stars Michael Socha as Paul Connolly and is based on true events.
The film is listed on Netflix, although availability can vary by country.