Beautiful boy, siempre serás mi hijo

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.

I am a heroin and meth addict with 3 years of sobriety. I currently work in a treatment center and I periodically show this movie in my groups, this movie is the best depiction I have ever seen of the life of addiction. It's heartbreaking to watch myself because it parallels my story very closely. The way addiction is shown is so raw and true, the overdoses, the shame, the guilt, the question of why that can never be answered. It's beautiful and heart wrenching, it's honestly not easy to watch but it is accurate (too a point, addicts know a few things that are a little wrong but that's small specifics) and the acting is phenomenal.

Belgian Director Felix Van Groningen ("The Broken Circle" 2012 - Winner of multiple Film Festival Awards) brings the best selling pair of memories, "Beautiful Boy" by father David Sheff and "Tweak" by son Nic Sheff to the big screen with heart-wrenching perfection. Steve Carell steps into the role of David, a father willing and available to help his son through a period he can't understand. Timothy Chalamet ("Call Me by Your Name") is Nic, a young boy who appears to have it all, only to be dealing with a dark hole feed by drug addicition. The beauty of this film is that the story is told from both father and son perspectives. Nic writes about what was happening in his head and heart, while David writes what it was like to be a father looking in. Van Groningen's primary setting is a family cabin in the woods of San Francisco. Breathtaking in its appearance, surrounded by the forrest and a yard surely once filled with memorable family times, the interior is mysteriously gloomy and dark, warning the viewer something is wrong here. Cinematography (Ruben Impens), and the films eerie musical score, further cement the tense presented on screen, dropping the viewer into various SF locations that grab you and hold you down. Be for warned: The silence within this film is so powerful, that if you're eating popcorn, sipping on a beverage or your phone rings, you do any of these at your own risk. Yet, however strong this film is, something is missing here. The performance are above terrific and touching, the story is current and relevant, and the mothers (Maura Tierney "ER" and Amy Ryan "Birman") perspective is equally on point. Yet, I found myself unable to fully latch on to the characters in the manner that I'm sure the writers wanted. "Beautiful Boy" is a powerful movie going experience, and one that is hard to get out of your head.

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.

This film could have been bogged down with its flashbacks and some narrative cliches, but man do Carell and Chalamet's performances make this film soar. 9/10.