Beautiful Boy (2018) Reviews

• Cause it's a long way to go, a hard row to hoe...

  mr_bickle_the_pickle2018-09-08

  This film is based off the memoir by David Sheff (played by Steve Carell) and Nic Sheff (played by Timothee Chalamet). It follows a father who is desperately trying to help to son and slowly coming to terms that maybe he can't. Let me tell you, this is some powerful stuff that is executed flawlessly by the actors. All were great but in particular Timothee and Steve are standouts. My bet is that the diner scene ("This is who I am") will be the clip chosen during awards season. But theres also some more subtle nuanced scenes too. In particular there is this scene right after Nic has relapsed by popping some pills and you can just tell he is thinking "Why did I just do that?". And your heart also breaks for David when you see him driving around looking for his son. The director does choose with this film to present in a non-linear way. Often times it does show flashbacks. That might not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it works. I think it helps to delve into David's mind and understand where he's coming from. He probably is thinking "Where did I go wrong?" I also felt the director did a good job of establishing shots to remind you of a happier time without using flashbacks. For instance there is a scene where Nic is playing with his younger siblings in the sprinkler and then later (after another heartbreaking scene of Nic fleeing) there is a shot of the empty backyard with the sprinkler coming on. The screenwriter was saying that he originally didnt want to do this film as he previously did a drug film (Candy -starring Heath Ledger) which was also based on his real life addiction with heroin. But ultimately decided to do this one as he never really had shown the other side of drug addiction. I thought he did a good job with it. It never glamourized doing drugs, but I also liked and appreciated that Nic was humanized in this. Yes, he is causing his family pain, but he isnt treated as the villain. You feel for him too. Overall, I quite liked this film. And I also thought the soundtrack was on point. I think you will see this film pop up during awards season. Maybe Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, but I think definitely for Timothee and Steve. It would be criminal if they werent there. Another thing I want to note is that about halfway through the credits there is a voiceover done by Timothee where he is reading out a poem that is briefly mentioned earlier. So that might be something you want to stick around for.

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• Must see

  janinelewis-034882018-10-13

  Should be mandatory viewing at all schools and drug reform programs. Excellent performances and extremely authentic portrayal of addiction and its damaging affects on family and self.

• POWERFUL PERFORMANCES BRING THIS TO LIFE

  chloedevoy2018-09-21

  This film could have been bogged down with its flashbacks and some narrative cliches, but man do Carell and Chalamet's performances make this film soar. 9/10.

• "Beautiful Boy" is a powerful movie going experience

  ccorral4192018-10-11

  Belgian Director Felix Van Groningen ("The Broken Circle" 2012 - Winner of multiple Film Festival Awards) brings the best selling pair of memories, "Beautiful Boy" by father David Sheff and "Tweak" by son Nic Sheff to the big screen with heart-wrenching perfection. Steve Carell steps into the role of David, a father willing and available to help his son through a period he can't understand. Timothy Chalamet ("Call Me by Your Name") is Nic, a young boy who appears to have it all, only to be dealing with a dark hole feed by drug addicition. The beauty of this film is that the story is told from both father and son perspectives. Nic writes about what was happening in his head and heart, while David writes what it was like to be a father looking in. Van Groningen's primary setting is a family cabin in the woods of San Francisco. Breathtaking in its appearance, surrounded by the forrest and a yard surely once filled with memorable family times, the interior is mysteriously gloomy and dark, warning the viewer something is wrong here. Cinematography (Ruben Impens), and the films eerie musical score, further cement the tense presented on screen, dropping the viewer into various SF locations that grab you and hold you down. Be for warned: The silence within this film is so powerful, that if you're eating popcorn, sipping on a beverage or your phone rings, you do any of these at your own risk. Yet, however strong this film is, something is missing here. The performance are above terrific and touching, the story is current and relevant, and the mothers (Maura Tierney "ER" and Amy Ryan "Birman") perspective is equally on point. Yet, I found myself unable to fully latch on to the characters in the manner that I'm sure the writers wanted. "Beautiful Boy" is a powerful movie going experience, and one that is hard to get out of your head.

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• Candid, compelling, cathartic cinema

  ss01872018-10-18

  The best movie I have seen so far in 2018. It is heart-wrenching, compelling, emotionally raw, and authentic. The acting from Timothee Chalamet and Steve Carell is strong and Oscar-worthy. Timothee is proving to be one of the best actors of his generation. It is a no-frills movie that illustrates the struggles and cyclical nature of destructive addiction, relapse, and recovery. It is beautifully directed and poignantly adapted from two memoirs. It also displays the emotional dynamic and turmoil of the father-son bond wonderfully. The cinematography is also top notch and captures the tone of the film. I am honestly baffled by some of the critic reviews. Beautiful Boy deserves a much higher rating. The film is honest and I empathized with the issues because the film explores the pain in such a real way. We witness how the addiction affects the entire family and how average people can be sucked into the black hole that drugs offers. It is relevant in this day and age to show the problems that relatable youth face. In most Hollywood films, we typically see the addiction melodramatically explored with individuals suffering from a specific trauma or living in abject poverty. In this film, we see the torment & despair of addiction powerfully & realistically explored within a middle-class family. Beautiful Boy is a must-see for everyone. It deserves Oscar nominations for Timothee Chalamet, adapted screenplay, cinematography, and directing. The entire cast is exceptional and should receive a SAG ensemble nomination. The movie is so much better than a number of the other acclaimed, flashy Oscar contenders of 2018. Beautiful Boy is candid and naturalistic. Not only does the audience get access to such fine artful filmmaking but also gets served with life lessons. There are a number of tear-jerking scenes and the pathos of it all, hit the core of my soul.

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