2018 is nearing to a close, and that means Oscar season is upon us. For many cineastes, Felix Van Groeningen’s (“Belgica”) “Beautiful Boy” is definitely a film that will be talked about. The real question is, is this as gut-wrenching as people made it out to be coming out of the Toronto International Film Festival?
The journey that both Nic and David Sheff go on is very sad and dismal, which is matched in turn by the performances from Timothée Chalamet (“Hot Summer Nights”) and Steve Carell (“Last Flag Flying”), respectively. While Carell’s mainly underplayed and subtle performance could snag him a nomination for Best Actor at the 91st Academy Awards, it is Chalamet’s turn as the meth-addicted son that will be sure to strike a chord with Academy voters. He is very pulled back and portrays addiction in an authentic way. If one has seen the trailers for this film, the scene at the diner is a great showcase of their acting capabilities and, coincidently, is also the best scene in the entire film. Maura Tierney (“The Affair”) and Amy Ryan (“Monster Trucks”) are also great in their supporting roles.
This film was not completely devastating, but that does not mean it was not engrossing. While it is not the type of film meant to draw people in every second by constantly upping tension, the writing is still very good and feels authentic to the situation at hand. The reason one might not be drawn in for the entirety of the film is because of its structure and it lingering a little too long. Watching Nic’s addiction get a hold of him feels very palpable, especially in a flashback scene with David warning Nic about the dangers of stronger drugs over a joint they shared. David and Nic’s dynamic is real and heartbreaking, as these two people clearly share so much love for each other yet have a hard time understanding each other within the situation. The dynamic between Nic and his younger siblings is also very interesting, with scenes that are very sweet and others that make viewers feel horrible for these children. There is one shot in this movie with the younger brother and sister that was harrowing, and audiences will not forget it for a long while.
As for the structure of the film, the interesting thing is that it does not really have one. Events play out as they would in real life, which is both positive and negative. On the positive side, we see Nic’s addiction get a hold of him in a natural progression. On the negative side, it does not feel like a true film narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end. There are also flashbacks constantly during the film to help reinforce this, and some audience members may take issue with it. Regardless, “Beautiful Boy” is a very good film about how addiction affects families and is elevated by its outstanding cast, earning it a very solid recommendation.
Image from Amazon Studios via YouTube
