Beautiful Boy

This film tells the sombre story of a young man hooked on drugs, and how the family members cope with the tragedy.

The story is depressing and sombre, and gets you down. This aspect is distinctly different from "Ben Is Back" which I watched yesterday. The music is sombre, the shots are slow, and the interaction do not give much hope either. The acting is brilliant though. This film hopefully will serve as an alarm for anyone who wishes to try drugs.

I managed to view this movie on Amazon streaming. Carell seems mostly known for his comedic work but shows again that he is even better in a straight dramatic role, here as the father who loves his teenage son but finally comes to grips that he can't save him from his drug addiction. The boy must save himself.

Good performances all around, it is hard to watch at times because we know that often a young man or young woman in fact fails to overcome the addiction and dies very young. In fact in the USA for those under 50 drug use is the most common cause of death. The problem with many teens, going through puberty and high school years, is they want to experiment but experimenting with drugs is a very dangerous thing. No matter how the parents raise them some will always go there, it is sad.

This movie, mostly based on the true story, shows that vividly.

Timothee Chalamet gives an outstanding performance ans Steve Carell is right up there with him. Their emotions come through strongly and carry the story. Though unfortunately the story-line feels predictable. The flashbacks were more distracting than endearing. And those aspects hold the film back.

Based on a true story, this film reminds us that addiction is a disease which does not discriminate: it can hit anybody at any time. Indeed, Nic (Timothée Chalamet) does not fit the stereotype of a junkie: raised in a loving upper-middle-class family, he is a good student and shares a close relationship with his father, David (Steve Carell). However, drugs have been part of his life since the age of 12 (alcohol and marijuana at first). The turning point is when he becomes dependent on methamphetamine, at only 18 years old. From that moment on, Nic and his relatives get trapped in a downward spiral. Despite all the support they give him, they are unable to prevent relapses and fear losing him. This movie accurately describes the harmful effects of drugs on family life. It also explores the limits of parental love. Well directed and earnestly performed, « Beautiful boy » is a deeply human drama.

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.