Beautiful Boy reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@ed1rko17]

I enjoyed the film, but every time Steve Carell yelled he turned into Michael Scott and I couldn't stop laughing.

[@OldSchool-om2zo]

I thought that this film was very striking and spot on - I have an older brother, 10 years older, who descended into the same dark abyss of drug abuse in his late teen years. I found the story to capture the same experiences me and my family went through as we navigated the peaks and troughs of addiction and rehabilitation, over and over again, leading to hurt and pain for all, and ultimately the complete cutting-off of that beloved family member

[@captainnemolostintheocean1652]

Do you know anything about him now? :(

[@LAZISH]

I read all the reviews available on youtube. Surprisingly, most of positive reviews are from young (in their 20s and 30s) males!!!!!! For me, last 20-30 minutes of the movie was extremely emotional, heartbreaking and omg, music was outlandish and so telling. It's 3 Sympony, Op.36 by Gorecki (aka Symphony of Sorrowful Songs)

[@alextromagnetic]

I don't think I've ever seen a film that so perfectly encapsulates drug addiction. I love how scattershot it felt and how overbearing the soundtrack was. Considering most of it comes from Nic's memoir, the unfocused nature makes sense seen as how it was written about his addiction in the worst years. Likely to be the best film of the year. The ticks Chalamet gives Nic, like itching the palm of his hand with his thumb, make the character feel so well realised

[@akiheavenly6]

Have you seen the Basketball Diaries? Much better than Beautiful Boy.

[@michellelekas211]

Oh please!

[@abbyhuntley3171]

This film absolutely destroyed me and affected me deeply for a very long time after. Even thinking about it and watching this video now is really difficult.

[@philstadnicki7882]

I thought the film was one of the more accurate depictions of drug addiction and not just a endless stream of stereotyping, having first had experience of the subject matter. I found it very moving in places and well acted. The issue i had with it was, as accurate and uncomfortable it made me feel in parts I don’t think it made for a great movie entertainment.

[@SnailHatan]

If you knowingly go into a movie about addiction and expect to be entertained, you’re doing it wrong. It’s not supposed to be fun and entertaining.

[@philstadnicki7882]

@@SnailHatan ok ill just spend the tenner entrance fee on some crocodile clips and attach them to my testicles

[@johnvicary9276]

Performances are strong and although addictions in dramas has been done before this adds to the understanding of crystal meth and its sinister dangers

[@GuyWithACamera23]

The soundtrack was good (Mogwai, Sigur Rós, Aphex Twin) the way it was implemented was really obnoxious. Still, Primus shirt-5 stars.

[@kitnicholson6388]

I’m 27, maybe not street-wise, but I loved it. Definitely saw it less as an addiction story and more as the complicated love shared by father and son.

[@simeonteitelbaum3673]

Those criticisms sound silly to me, and smell of ideological myopia. It is true that the characters in this film are privileged, yet the fall of the privileged into not drug-induced ruin is one of the thing which is characteristic of this moment in the US and sadly is why the problem may be addressed. I doubt these same critics have a problem with the Parkland kids being taken seriously on gun control but its for the same reasons, they're upper class.

[@111Natohan111]

I think the criticism comes from the desire to have the realistic average drug addict represented on screen, but one of the messages of the film is addiction can happen to anyone, which is probably the main reason they never deal with the cause of Nic's addiction, just the struggle to break the cycle

[@simeonteitelbaum3673]

@@111Natohan111 The problem with this sort of political criticism is that is doesn't have anything to do with the film itself or its merits, its about the industry or a personal beef. It reduced art entirely to quota points and makes a mockery of political engagement and analysis

[@reggiemitcham2092]

Simeon Teitelbaum

[@michellelekas211]

This is a “positive” review. Chill

[@kingdarko]

Didn't really get the point when David took the drugs and then never had any follow on. They could have cut that scene out as that was where I checked out.

[@myneighbourjohnturturro]

Timothee Chalameth

[@jeysey200]

The last half definitely saved it, but there was just something missing for me...

[@goodial]

I felt like the non-linear storytelling made it less impactful than it could've been ...

[@asmin9927]

Having seen it at Screen Unseen back in December, it's definitely grown on me the more I've thought about it. I came out bashing it, and while I have the same criticisms now, I've come to appreciate more just how good the cinematography and acting are. Timothee Chalamet deserves acting nominations based on this.

[@michellelekas211]

The problem with drug films is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to “show” how amazing drugs can feel

[@GuusOnline]

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect me, but I just don’t agree that a movie is good when it’s affecting. It’s perfectly fine to make an insightful film about drug addiction, but why must it be presented in such an aesthetically pleasing package? This is what makes it feel exploitative. The house where they live is beautiful. the surroundings are beautiful. The film has a very attractive and ‘beautiful’ look: like they used photographs of sunsets on Instagram as their main inspiration How does that relate to the horrors of drug addiction? My problem with this film wasn’t that it’s on the nose and a preachy melodrama, although it is those things. My problem with it was that it invites the viewer to enjoy the pain of its characters. It’s schadenfreude, presented as empathy. And that leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. Then again the lady two seats next to me cried through the whole thing. So if you think a movie is good when it’s affecting, then this is certainly good.

[@GiantSandles]

It kind of tries to have a lot of these emotional moments that it doesn't really earn, still a decent enough watch though and Chalamet probably does give the best supporting performance (best male one anyway) I've seen over the last year

[@bobjones9497]

It is certainly up there, ali in green book for me just tips it

[@reggiemitcham2092]

GiantSandles

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film maybe long & dull in parts, however the film’s terrifically acted, greatly directed, well written & an emotional biopic. (77%) (4/5 stars) (positive)

[@Luvie1980]

Chalamet is always playing a troubled teenage boy.

[@leviunderwood5308]

Luvie1980 all teenagers are troubled to be fair

[@GiantSandles]

He's only in his early 20's and could pass for way younger so obviously they're only gonna give him teen roles at this point

[@Luvie1980]

@@GiantSandles that's not my point....he is always screwed up in movies

[@111Natohan111]

what other troubled teenage boys has he played? In CMBYN and Lady Bird he was anything but troubled

[@LAZISH]

@@Luvie1980 But, in Call Me By Your Name, he's not troubled at all. He just fell in love and suffer due to the heartbreak.

[@NxDoyle]

David Sheff I know via the Playboy interviews with John Lennon.

[@harleymackenzie2631]

the notebook comment from a younger generation is utterly naive. it’s hardly exposition, the audience is already aware that the child is descending into chaos, it’s cementing into the fathers head just how uncontrollable and serious the situation is

[@65g4]

I really liked the movie powerful acting hard movie to watch at times

[@MagnificentFiend]

'in California or San Francisco'

[@reeves326]

As per usual, my opinion on a film is 100% the same as Mark’s review. It is getting a bit silly :)

[@the_katman2181]

I thought the movie to show kids where drugs lead to and scare them shitless was Requiem for a Dream.

[@colinr0380]

It also showed old people that you can become addicts too, not just the 'feckless yoof'

[@bazzoman510]

Good movie,interesting take on how drugs can affect a family.Too much use of music in the film and it’s a bit scattershot but on the whole a decent film.

[@Enzophanis1892]

I thought this was great

[@captainstarman8724]

Thumbs up for Teddy boys

[@doctorbond1882]

Kermode does like to interrupt quite a bit, although the other does a little as well, it's just unnecessary 😂

[@danielishere734]

Mayo always usually interrupts Kermode. I'd rather listen to Kermodes interupptions

[@doctorbond1882]

@@danielishere734 Oh fair enough, yeah to be honest Kermode does seem more aware and mannered - read "The Good the Bad and the multiplex" and the first chapter shows this - oh right you right 😂

[@michellelekas211]

Interrupt what, exactly?

[@CarlosNightman]

Moc moc a moc?

[@holosyntax]

I would also describe steve carell's acting style as desperate

[@shanewilliams5150]

*looks at camera*

[@joshthompson7936]

Carell is desperate for an Oscar

[@bobjones9497]

Definetly - vice and beautiful boy this year Battle of the sexes last year I'm not sure he'll get one to be honest

[@mikejohnston8275]

Can't blame him if he's getting good scripts

[@MattJames1958]

Or he's just getting offered good scripts now

[@stevemiddy]

IMO not that the Oscars mean much anymore. He should of got one for 'The Big Short'. Unbelievably good in that.. and Foxcatcher too.

[@michellelekas211]

Not Fait; that’s Bradley Cooper

[@number94]

See lichess, Learn, chess basics...

[@michellelekas211]

Christians F. RULES

[@123rockfan]

I liked it, but Carrell is really not a versatile actor. His character felt straight out of 40 Year Old Virgin, if he and Keener had a son who became a drug addict. He acts the same in every movie

[@bobjones9497]

Watch foxcather That will change your mind And even the big short to an extent

[@123rockfan]

Bob Jones I liked Foxcatcher but wasn’t a fan of his performance. I think the only reason he seemed different character is because of the prosthetics. And because he played a really disturbing guy. It’s hard for me to watch Carrel playing a regular character in a drama movie and not see just the same actor.

[@857noel]

Oh god this film is so boring