The film is on Netflix and it’s an absolute riot. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
If you’re looking for something to lift your spirits this January, the BBC has just the thing because they’re about to launch the TV show that’s based on Peter Foott’s cult-classic, The Young Offenders.
In case you’ve missed the film, you’re in luck because it’s currently on Netflix and it has charmed anyone that’s seen it.
Now we know that BBC3 will show the first episode online from 10am on 1 February, with RTÉ also set to show the series (with full details to follow).
Inspired by the true story of Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure in 2007, The Young Offenders is a comedy road movie about best friends Conor and Jock, two inner-city teenagers from Cork who dress the same, act the same, and even have the same bum-fluff mustaches.
Jock is a notorious bike thief who plays a daily game of cat-and-mouse with the bike-theft-obsessed Garda Sergeant Healy.
When a drug-trafficking boat capsizes off the coast of West Cork and 61 bales of cocaine, each worth €7m, are seized, word gets out that there is a bale missing. The boys steal two bikes and go on a road trip hoping to find a missing bale which they can sell so as to escape their troubled home lives.
Since being released, the film has picked up some seriously impressive reviews.
The Observer – “It’s the most perceptive comic portrait of the adolescent male since The Inbetweeners, but with a naturalism that is unexpectedly disarming.”
The Times – “This exuberantly daft teenage comedy has some similarities to The Inbetweeners but with a kinder, gentler wit.”
Empire – “Raucously funny and winningly played, this is the best Irish comedy since Sing Street.”
It’s not just the critics that love it.
Maybe late to the party but if you hav'nt seen this film yet you're a mug. 'The Young Offenders'. One of the funniest things I've watched in years. Actual laugh out loud. Watch it whilst you still can on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/EHnlqPc4zm
— David Mumeni (@DavidMumeni) January 7, 2018
If you haven't seen The Young Offenders yet, go watch it on Netflix – then get really excited that a TV version is just weeks away. Best Irish comedy since Father Ted. https://t.co/Wz4r6iPo7u
— Mark Savage (@mrdiscopop) January 18, 2018
Took me forever to find something funny to watch on netflix, but i found a gem. I present to you: The Young Offenders 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
— We Went To School For This (@WWTSFTPodcast) January 15, 2018
Watched The young offenders on Netflix last night. How have I never seen that before? It's brilliant!
— Reuben Gray 🍺📷 (@TaleOfAle) October 28, 2017
As for the TV adaptation, The Young Offenders follows the coming of age adventures of lovable rogues Conor and Jock as they navigate their awkward teenage years, hatching plans and adventures to help distract from their tough home lives and their inability to stay out of trouble at school.
The TV show will see Alex Murphy and Chris Walley reprising their roles from the smash hit feature film and Conor’s long-suffering mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) is also there as she tries to keep both her son and his best friend on the straight and narrow, with varying degrees of success.
Friendship, loyalty, laughter and lots of mischief bring best pals Conor and Jock into conflict with their headmaster, leaving Conor’s mum to pick up the pieces. To add fuel to the fire, the lads strike up friendships with the headmaster’s daughters.
#TheYoungOffenders are coming @BBCThree – from 10am @BBCiPlayer, Thursday 1 February – https://t.co/ZDLRlsLEFE pic.twitter.com/2d4W6zE5pj
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) January 17, 2018
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
