To make a film that covers such an important, yet, taboo subject is incredibly difficult. But for the story to have been based on the memoirs of real people who experienced it first hand; that is exceedingly harder.
In this film, I found it difficult to label one character as the protagonist, but now as I revisit my thoughts; I believe there is not one; at least singularly. It is true that our main characters are David and Nic Sheff, however, this film delves more into the richness of relationships and love within a family as a whole rather than focussing purely on the father-son relationship. There is an important message about expressing the ability to support a loved one, while knowing when you need to stop. Is it even possible to love someone so much, when at the same time, accept that you can no longer help them? In terms of the Sheff family, they are forced to deal with the immense, distressing effects that addiction has caused to all their relationships - not just one of a paternal nature. This is extremely powerful and is often undeservingly forgotten in the discussion of the addiction crisis. Watching the rise and loss of hope within the Sheff family - and of Nic himself as he succumbs and overcomes his urges - was so heartbreaking and poignant. The reality of addiction is beautifully portrayed. Furthermore, the unique format of the film does not follow the traditional three-act structure or smooth character arcs. Instead, it allows Nic to experience the cycle of sobriety and relapse, which ultimately creates an incredibly raw and real film that encapsulates the realities of this disease.
Timothée Chalamet has such an immense, otherworldly talent that was completely enhanced through his real-life and onscreen connection with the unfathomable, Steve Carell. The pair really were father and son to me and it was so spectacular and emotional to watch these incredible performances bounce off each other. I was immersed the entire time.
Felix Van Groeningen has the ability to take each and every audience member out of their lives, forget who they are, and become completely involved with the story, even if they have no experiences with the rough reality of drug addiction.
It is a disease, one that is rarely spoken about or portrayed on screen but it is something that America and many other countries, including ours, struggles with. By educating and allowing people to understand this epidemic in an intense, emotional and sensitive way, this film will change a lot of the assumptions, opinions and stereotypes of drug addiction. And that is the most powerful thing a film can do.
'Beautiful Boy' could not have come at a more relevant time in our world.
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