The Sunnyboy
The Sunnyboy
| 02 June 2013 (USA)
The Sunnyboy Trailers

Following the Sunnyboys’ enigmatic frontman Jeremy Oxley from the band’s origins, breakthrough success and his subsequent 30-year battle with schizophrenia, The Sunnyboy is one man's inspired story of survival and hope. A meditation on a condition often stigmatised and misunderstood, Kaye Harrison’s documentary buries below the surface of Oxley’s public “identity” to explore his own reality and battle to maintain “self”. Secure in a loving relationship with his partner Mary, Oxley slowly emerges from his solitary torment to join the world we all share. The film follows him as he tentatively unpicks his confused thoughts and feelings about the past with his brother Peter. From his struggle with the physical effects of years spent self-medicating to his hopeful contemplation of a married future and a daring return to the stage, The Sunnyboy is the definitive documentary of Jeremy Oxley's journey from the Sunnyboys and back.

Reviews
weetbix68

I would highly recommend this personal, generous and revealing insight into the experience of living with schizophrenia to a broad spectrum of the community. Most importantly Jeremy's story will help educate those out there who paint all who are given this label with the same brush. What comes across most poignantly is that Jeremy above all is a deeply creative, gentle and sensitive individual. For those like myself, who continue to care deeply for a family member or friend dealing with this condition they will appreciate the humour, 'realness' and dignity with which this life experience is dealt with. I deeply appreciate the family's generosity of spirit in opening up to allow others to benefit from witnessing the journey that they have gone on with Jeremy. This film doesn't generalise, sugar coat, trivialise or dramatise this condition but seeks to examine the complexity of it while not loosing sight of the bigger picture, namely the nature of any individual in the world searching for meaning, creative expression and companionship.I found the viewing experience deeply satisfying, refreshing and quite uplifting.

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