The Boys Next Door is a 1996 American comedy-drama television film produced and directed by John Erman, written by William Blinn, and starring Nathan Lane, Robert Sean Leonard, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance, and Mare Winningham. Based on the stage play by Tom Griffin, it follows four intellectually disabled men (Lane, Leonard, Jeter, and Vance) living in a group home, and the social worker (Goldwyn) who looks after them.
The Boys Next Door was filmed in Toronto, Canada. It aired on CBS on February 4, 1996, as an episode of the Hallmark Hall of Fame anthology series.
Contents
Plot
Four intellectually disabled men share a house and are looked after by Jack Palmer, their social worker. The four men try to make sense of a mixed-up world, dealing with everything from runaway rodents to helping Norman, who has a new girlfriend. Jack's life with his wife is put on hold, and he feels it's time to let them go.
Cast
Tony Goldwyn as Jack Palmer
Nathan Lane as Norman Bulansky
Courtney B. Vance as Lucien P. Singer
Michael Jeter as Arnold Wiggins
Robert Sean Leonard as Barry Klemper
Mare Winningham as Sheila
Jenny Robertson as Rena
Elizabeth Wilson as Mary Fremus
Richard Jenkins as Bob Klemper
Lynne Thigpen as Mrs. Tracy
Caroline Aaron as Mrs. Warren
Production
Filming took place in Toronto.
Awards
1997 Won: Christopher Award
1996 Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie - Mare Winningham
1996 Nominated: Humanitas Prize
1997 Won: WGA Award