"Beautiful Boy": Movie Review
Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell are flat out brilliant in the new film "Beautiful Boy", directed by Felix Van Groeningen. The film however can't find it's footing when it matters the most.
Based on a set of memoirs by David (Steve Carell) and Nic Sheff (Timothée Chalamet), "Beautiful Boy" explores the experience (relapse) of drug addiction amongst a peaceful family.
It's not an easy watch, and the relationship between Chalamet and Carell is incredibly convincing. Their intimate scenes together are haunting, and will leave you speechless. An Oscar nomination for both are truly deserved.
It also is beautifully filmed. The tour of California, and the bright, saturation is candy to the eyes, popping off the screen with vibrancy. But the film seems at odds with it's difficult subject matter. On purpose or not, the contrast of colorful imagery and the depiction of drug addiction do not go hand in hand.
Additionally, the music choices are odd. The majority of the selections are either obvious or don't fit the scene entirely, reducing the emotional resonance of a possibly heartbreaking situation.
At last, the structure of the film is undeniably confusing. It constantly moves from past to present and future without notifying the audience. The timeline is frustrating and at times distracting from the anguish Groeningen wants you to feel.
"Beautiful Boy" has two top notch performances, in Carell and Chalamet, but the film can't keep up. It's a disorganized and structurally unsound affair, but also will simultaneously break your heart in a million pieces.
Based on a set of memoirs by David (Steve Carell) and Nic Sheff (Timothée Chalamet), "Beautiful Boy" explores the experience (relapse) of drug addiction amongst a peaceful family.
It's not an easy watch, and the relationship between Chalamet and Carell is incredibly convincing. Their intimate scenes together are haunting, and will leave you speechless. An Oscar nomination for both are truly deserved.
It also is beautifully filmed. The tour of California, and the bright, saturation is candy to the eyes, popping off the screen with vibrancy. But the film seems at odds with it's difficult subject matter. On purpose or not, the contrast of colorful imagery and the depiction of drug addiction do not go hand in hand.Additionally, the music choices are odd. The majority of the selections are either obvious or don't fit the scene entirely, reducing the emotional resonance of a possibly heartbreaking situation.
At last, the structure of the film is undeniably confusing. It constantly moves from past to present and future without notifying the audience. The timeline is frustrating and at times distracting from the anguish Groeningen wants you to feel.
"Beautiful Boy" has two top notch performances, in Carell and Chalamet, but the film can't keep up. It's a disorganized and structurally unsound affair, but also will simultaneously break your heart in a million pieces.
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