There is an older independent film that may sound relevant
to the Boston Marathon incident, as to what motivates this sort of action among
some young men. That 1985 film is “The Boys Next Door”, by Penelope Spheeris,
from New World Pictures and Anchor Bay.
Right after high school graduation, Roy (Maxwell Caulfield)
and Bo (Charlie Sheen, 19 when he made this film) face a lifetime of blue
collar factory work in their hometown (apparently Phoenix). Resentful perhaps that rich people have more
opportunity for college and for power, they take off on a wilding trip to Los
Angeles, actually kidnapping a little dog at first. Roy quickly turns violent at a gas station
robbery. Bo is unable to stop himself
from following along his more “charismatic” friend.
The rampage becomes more violent quickly. The two go into a
bar in West Hollywood. When they find out that it is a gay bar, they invite
themselves home, and Roy beats up and shoots the gay man. Then they turn their
attention to heterosexuals in lovers lanes.
Finally they get cornered by cops in a shopping mall. Even though he will probably face the death
penalty in California anyway, Bo turns on Roy and shoots him as the police
close in.
The opening of the film makes a statement to the effect that
rampage killers are usually young charismatic white men. Fortunately, I’ve
never encountered anything like this with anyone I have known in my whole life.
There really is no motive here, no pretense of a religious or political ideology at all.
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