Honey Boy * * * * *
I had the cinema to myself this afternoon.
I'm not sure if that is because no one is interested in this film or no one is interested in catching Coronavirus. Either way, when you have a public place to yourself you feel pretty safe from catching anything.
"Safe" would not be the word I would use for the twelve year old boy in this extraordinary film.
It's written by actor Shia LeBouf and its about his childhood.
I don't know enough about Shia LeBouf to pass judgement on him, but for some reason he seems to have peed a lot of people off. All I can say is that mostly I find him to be a very fine actor. He was especially good in the recent The Peanut Butter Falcon. But I think many of his detractors might understand LeBouf a little better after this autobiographical film.
Wisely, he handed over the task of directing the to Alma Har'el. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job. It's a beautiful outcome. She makes us walk the tightrope, especially in regard to the risk exposure of the young boy. You will be frightened and concerned, yet the film remains quite sure of itself.
Rather than plodding its way through a chronology of biographical events it is set over two time zones: the years of 1995 and 2005. Otis at 12 and Otis at 22 and already in need of rehab because of his drug and alcohol consumption - like father like son.
For the 12 year old Otis there is a constant and dreadful sense of threat from his loopy father, played by Shia himself. The child actor (Noah Jupe) does an amazing job. Also impressive is Lucas Hodge who plays Otis in his twenties, now dealing with the consequences of being raised by such an oppressive and crazy father. (After being hamstrung by the lopsided and unintelligent Ben is Back, it is good that Lucas Hodge can show us how he really can shine with a role such as this).
Much of it is set in a cheap motel which is where Otis lives with his father James, a recovered alcoholic. He might not drink anymore but James is an angry psychological mess over his wasted life. To add to his regret and humiliation he is financially dependent on his twelve year old son who is now becoming a successful television actor.
It's a superb piece of drama: A deeply moving and extraordinarily insightful biography built upon emotional and psychological consequence rather than years of events. It's one of the best films I have seen this year. Worth risking Coronavirus for.
(5)
I'm not sure if that is because no one is interested in this film or no one is interested in catching Coronavirus. Either way, when you have a public place to yourself you feel pretty safe from catching anything.
"Safe" would not be the word I would use for the twelve year old boy in this extraordinary film.
It's written by actor Shia LeBouf and its about his childhood.
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| "Let me tell you about life, boy" "Please don't" |
Rather than plodding its way through a chronology of biographical events it is set over two time zones: the years of 1995 and 2005. Otis at 12 and Otis at 22 and already in need of rehab because of his drug and alcohol consumption - like father like son.
For the 12 year old Otis there is a constant and dreadful sense of threat from his loopy father, played by Shia himself. The child actor (Noah Jupe) does an amazing job. Also impressive is Lucas Hodge who plays Otis in his twenties, now dealing with the consequences of being raised by such an oppressive and crazy father. (After being hamstrung by the lopsided and unintelligent Ben is Back, it is good that Lucas Hodge can show us how he really can shine with a role such as this).
Much of it is set in a cheap motel which is where Otis lives with his father James, a recovered alcoholic. He might not drink anymore but James is an angry psychological mess over his wasted life. To add to his regret and humiliation he is financially dependent on his twelve year old son who is now becoming a successful television actor.
It's a superb piece of drama: A deeply moving and extraordinarily insightful biography built upon emotional and psychological consequence rather than years of events. It's one of the best films I have seen this year. Worth risking Coronavirus for.
(5)
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