
Based on the memoir by David Sheff, the story follows David Sheff (Steve Carell), a father who is desperately trying to help his drug-addicted son, Nic (Timothée Chalamet). As Nic goes through a period David can't quite understand, he slowly comes to terms with the fact that maybe he can't help him.
The main issue with Beautiful Boy is that it tells a story that has been told over and over again without bringing anything new to the table other than the story being told from the addict's father's perspective rather than the addict himself as the film's main focus is to highlight the despair and struggle of a parent while watching his child on the downward spiral of drugs. Too bad that the film fails to capture that. In addition, the story has a non-linear timeline with many pointless flashbacks that make you completely lose track of the story. And it doesn't make a lot of sense either as most of the story is told from the father's point of view.
The characters are another issue as they are underdeveloped and lack characterization. It's very difficult if not impossible to develop any sort of emotional attachment to them, you just don't care about what happens to them. The bland, dull performances sure don't help; if anything, they make you question Carell and Chalamet's acting abilities as the first seems to be playing a depressed version of The Office's Michael Scott, and the latter looks like a male model filming an ad or something.
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Yeah...I heard the same thing from other bloggers so I doubt I will see this. I am glad they look at it from the parent's point of view because the parents suffers so much but it sounds like film went no where. Timothy reminds me of Eisenberg...snot-nosed, arrogant brat who thinks he knows all. I am not a fan of him either
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how it's even possible but Chalamet is more annoying than Eisenberg.
DeleteYes! The music was so odd in this one. I'm indifferent about Timothee Chalamet but I'll never get Call Me By Your Name out of my head and I really couldn't stand it!
ReplyDeleteI didn't hate CMBYN but it was so dull!
DeleteI didn't love this but I thought it was okay. For me the actors really carried the material.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it worked better for you.
DeleteOh wow, you really hated it, didn't you? Brutal review :) but very well written. You kind of made me want to reconsider the idea of watching it, although I personally like both Chalamet and Carrell, so I would see it for them....I don't know now
ReplyDeleteI too like Carrell, even when he does dumb stuff like Date Night, but I just didn't like him here.
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