Being a retired nurse, I feel qualified to recommend this movie to anyone going through recovery, or any friend or family member who’s trying desperately to stand by their side.
Beautiful Boy succeeds — where so many other have have failed — in showing the insanity of addiction. Never, at any time, did I feel that the ‘powers that be’ had ‘Hollywooded’-up this incredible film. (My family can attest to the fact that I do go just a little berserk when Hollywood has to go and add some bling to a truly great piece of history. Don’t get me started on the upcoming movie, Mary Queen Of Scots.)
What this movie showed, with great detail and honesty, is the bleak underbelly of addiction. It seems that Felix van Groeningen knew exactly how to reach the audience without going over the top.
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Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet both gave an Oscar-winning performance. If they gave an award for Best Onscreen Couple, these two actors would win hands down, for sure. Carell is a phenomenal actor that can make your sides split in one movie, then make your heart break in the next. Carell’s performance seemed to come from his very soul. Each facial expression was a reflection of his pain.
Chalamet did a spectacular job of showing the highs and lows of his character’s addiction. This pair had such incredible chemistry that it made us believe everything they were feeling, and everything they were saying to each other, in their many one-on-one conversations. And when you hear David singing Beautiful Boy to Nic, your heart will break. It’s definitely a five Kleenex moment.
Grade: A
About The Peetimes: In a 2 hour movie, I like to get at least 3 Peetimes. Couldn’t do that in Beautiful Boy. The last half of the movie had so much drama and tension that should not be missed. If you do hear the call of nature, my suggestion is that you make a mad dash for the loo, and back to your seat in no longer than 2 minutes.
There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Beautiful Boy. (What we mean by Anything Extra.)
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RunPee Mom is our emotional bedrock. Without her, RunPee never would have lasted a decade as an app (which is since the dawn of time in internet years). She’s our biggest cheerleader and an unending source of unconditional love. She works cheerfully and tirelessly, seeing any movie we ask of her, writing interesting reviews, and being our…well…MOM. Her genres of choice: kiddie flicks, animated movies, emotional dramas, historical features, war films, diverse biographies, and even dense, diabolically plotted thrillers. She knows more about famous and infamous figures in history than said figures probably knew about themselves. She’s the Quiz Manager for the RunPee.com blog, and our resident movie celebrity/trivia expert. If you’ve taken a RunPee Quiz, you’ve most likely been given a virtual hug by RunPee Mom.
Jill Florio Administrator
I’m glad you liked it, but it seems really sad. I’d probably leave crying.
Ginger Gardner
Oh yes, you would leave this movie crying I’m certain. When Steve Carell sang Beautiful Boy to his son, that was a 5 handkerchief moment.