Boong Review: A Beautiful Mix of Relationship, Friendship & Coming-of-age Drama

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ✨ 3.5/5*

Boong Review Movie Talkies:

Boong has suddenly grabbed headlines after its BAFTA win, and I must say what I watched today truly deserves the hype. Yes, this film deserves to be in the news and on your watchlist. It is a solid blend of coming-of-age drama, friendship, and intellectual cinema, all coming together with a touch of social awareness and poignant commentary. The film often makes you see situations through the lens of a child who behaves unusually mature for his age, only to help you understand something deeply powerful and important. In recent years, very few films in this genre have made such an impact—something that was more common during the 2010s. That sensitivity seemed to fade in the post-lockdown era. Thankfully, Boong arrives as a refreshing reminder that meaningful cinema is still alive and relevant.

Boong Story:

Boong tells the story of a schoolboy named Boong (Gugun Kipgen), who lives with his mother, Madakini (Bala Hijam). Boong’s father is away and always “busy,” and the boy longs for him to return so that his mother can be happy again. When that doesn’t happen, Boong decides to travel to Moreh to find him. He is accompanied by his best friend Raju (Angom Sanamatum), and they are dropped off by a girl named Juliana (Nemetia Ngangbam). The boys lie to their parents, claiming they are going on a school picnic, and head to Moreh in search of Boong’s father, Joykumar (Hamom Sadananda). They try everything to locate him but must also worry about returning before the border closes. Will they manage to find him?

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The film begins on a humorous note, with the mischievous Boong altering his school’s name board to read “Homo Boys School.” Several early moments with Boong, Raju, and Juliana are filled with innocence and organic laughter. However, the film gradually shifts into a more serious tone once the journey to Moreh begins, eventually turning into an intense and emotionally heavy experience by the end. At times, the children seem unusually mature in their conversations. It feels slightly unrealistic to see school kids making jokes about outsiders' controversies and foreign trips. The Manipuri cultural context could perhaps have been better conveyed through adult characters. Nevertheless, the emotional weight still lands effectively, and you soon adapt to this narrative choice.

The finale holds a couple of predictable yet engaging surprises. A small conversation between the child and his mother stands out for its intelligence and emotional depth. Ultimately, the film revolves around relationships—how they are formed and how they should be nurtured. After all, the bond between a mother and her child is among the strongest relationships in the world, and Boong beautifully builds its emotional core around this universal truth. The final moments may leave you slightly shaken, especially if you have witnessed similar situations in your own life or community. That emotional resonance is what makes this film truly special.

Boong Cast:

Gugun Kipgen delivers an honest, natural, and deeply touching performance. He appears innocent, adorable, mischievous, dedicated, and mature—all with remarkable ease. Bala Hijam looks absolutely gorgeous and carries the grace of a true Manipuri beauty without any artificial enhancement. Angom Sanamatum is another delightful presence, bringing many joyful moments to the screen. Vikram Kochhar performs well in his role, while Nemetia Ngangbam as Juliana is spot on. Jenny Khurai, appearing briefly as Singer JJ, does her part effectively, and Hamom Sadananda has only a short appearance. The rest of the cast also put forward sincere efforts.

Boong Movie Review:

Technically, the cinematography stands out the most. The natural beauty of Manipur and the border landscapes are captured wonderfully. The editing keeps the pace steady throughout its crisp 92–93 minute runtime. The background score may not be particularly striking, but it feels smooth in certain moments. The production design and costumes suit the local ethnicity perfectly. Director Lakshmipriya Devi crafts a meaningful piece of cinema with skill and intelligence. She clearly has a knack for artistic storytelling without drifting too far into dark realism. Boong could easily have been made as a documentary to heighten its realism, but Devi ensures that it remains engaging and accessible like a mainstream film.

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The humour works well in the beginning, and as the tone gradually shifts, she successfully immerses the viewer into her Manipuri world, holding their attention throughout the entire runtime. That strength as a storyteller is what keeps the film alive—without it, Boong might have easily faltered. What she achieves with such a simple story should serve as a lesson to many contemporary filmmakers who rely on forced techniques, extravagant sets, and artificial ideas. Boong represents what people today like to call “absolute cinema,” and it deserves to be seen by every cinema lover. In one word: SUPERB!

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