Change Your Image
alanlenihan
Reviews
Beautiful Boy (2018)
A truly heart wrenching tale of drug abuse
Beautiful Boy (2018) is a true story of a relationship between a loving father and troubled son based on the respective biographies of both the father and the son.
The name derives from John Lennon's song "beautiful boy". The lyrics of this song embody the role of David Sheff played by Steve Carell, in that a son will always be protected by their father even as they grow, learn and distance themselves, it a truly beautiful entendre. the film brings visualisation to the lyrics in a truly poetic style.
The film encapsulates the relationship between father and son in the most divine fashion through both the current time scenes and flashbacks, beautiful and heartwarming, but also heartbreaking. it however doesn't just show the side of Nics parents attempting to stay connected and keep him clean, but also how Nic whilst being a user see's them as surveilling him and being overbearing rather than seeing it as actual care.
The emotions through this film are captured and expressed brilliantly through the music, each backing music within the scenes are expressive- anything from the suspense and anxiety David felt at the start of the movie attempting got actively understand Nics situation, to the eventual feeling of guilt and pure sadness Nics relapse had on him. The most clear theme of guilt happens when David comes to the realisation that he on his own cant stop his sons drug abuse, it is briefly glimpsed through the whole film but switches from not physically being able to help to consciously stopping for his own closure.
It really shows the true reality of drug abuse and how it doesn't just effect the cliché person, it also affects the people who aren't deemed troubled through the spectrum of their background, family or quality of life in general. it shows drug abuse for what it really is, a disease which clouds people of what they were. What I found most heartbreaking about this film is how quickly relapse can be triggered within those believed to be sober- and how detrimental this sudden turn can be to those most important to you. This chase and aguish is most effectively visualised when Karen chases Nic and Lauren after he had broken into her house to fuel his habit; she began the chase with determination, grit and anger and ended the chase when she got the closest to catching him with frustration and acceptance than she can't stop him.
unfortunately one could discuss how western and privileged this story is, as it focuses through the scope of a young, successful, educated white male who had the facilities and money to get the best support and care. However, how could you shift the focus of a true story to highlight a 'more' important consensus.
recently I have grown fond of Chalamet and his acting range- he truly can become the script he is given, he is a talent that was born to be what he is. It begs for me the question as to why young talents don't have their own awards within the academy.
For me Steve Carell stole the show with his performance- you feel what he feels, the phone call really hit hard, it really did. I believe as like many actors who are known for their comedy, that he isn't as appreciated in his drama roles; ultimately his career being overshadowed by his performances in Anchorman, The Office, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. This man truly does have range, previously we had captured glimpses of this within his film, but I am glad he got free reign within this role.
Overall, what I think this film teaches is to not give up on life. when there is life, there is the chance things can get better no matter how dire the situation. Even if there is a glimmer of hope within a dire situation, but ultimately that glimmer is what you focus on and grow into a beam of sunshine. This film has my full appreciation.
Honey Boy (2019)
A raw and personal insight to LaBeouf's childhood
This movie provides a very emotional and a very REAL insight into Shia LaBeouf's youth and acting start; providing real intensity.
The film provides an indie aesthetic within its cinematography that is both immersive and tense, which also portrays a real sense of warmth with its scenery, imagery and metaphors (such as the chicken and its connection with his father). what I believe is brilliant is that we as the audience will never know the true extent of such metaphors only what we could guess, the only person who will truly understand the symbolism of everything within this movie is LaBeouf himself- he leaves it open to interpretation. its crazy to think it was filmed in just 19 days.
the main themes I think this movie tackles well and sets out to bring into public discussion is the impact of a seemingly broken family through multiple scopes. The first being divorce and its impact on a developing child- most clearly shown through the conversation between Otis, his father and his mother over the phone where he relays the abuse both parents are throwing at each other so willingly. The second is mental health and drug abuse problems within adults with convictions and the effect it can have on their job prospects, and ultimately the relationships they have with their children; making them feel utterly useless and like failures,
What norm I believe this movie battles the most and I credit the director first and foremost for their skills to portray this in a manner that makes the audience not to feel completely sorry for the childs (Otis) situation but to empower them to break constraints of control given to him by society due to the mere fact of being a child in the eyes of the law. This norm is the assumption of childhood innocence and dependence- you feel that the child is ultimately controlled beyond reason and thus resorts to other forms of compassion given to him by the 'Shy Girl' (FKA Twigs), a reaction you feel necessary for Otis' wellbeing.
Now to the acting. Although aesthetically LaBeouf didn't really fit the parent with a teenage son look, due to his youthful face, it was ultimately brushed under the carpet. Due to his real, raw and powerful portrayal of his own father. Imagine the emotion it would take to portray someone who you still love (which he has declared) but had such a testy relationship with because of mental and physical abuse; the epitome of toxicity. He, in my personal opinion couldn't have done it better, and as per usual deserves more recognition and opportunities in drama roles, which seem to be overshadowed by his early works in Even Stevens (2000-2003) and the Transformers franchise; he is a true talent.
Noah Jupe, as a child actor is impeccable at his job- the emotion he gives within his performances, in particular this and Wonder (2017) are far beyond his years and will take him far in the industry and provide him with the opportunities he deserves. He truly embodied his character and provides a expressive performance. Lucas Hedges, I loved him in Lady Bird (2017) and Mid90s (2018), and in ways of casting this film was brilliant as the two actors have very similar facial features and expressions. He provided a good portrayal of PTSD caused by childhood trauma and rounded the film off brilliantly with embracing his fathers mistakes but also finds it within himself to accept that at the end of the day nobody's perfect.
"I'm gonna make a movie about you" and he most certainly kept that promise.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Brings a true sense of warmth
This film embodied warmth to me. It brings a tale of three people who all share a commonality of loss and grief, Zak (through his family), Tyler (through his brother) and Eleanor (through her husband), and through Zak they find each other a real and beautiful sense of discovery.
Although some may say the film was predictable and cliche of 'opposites attract' I would say that it did so uniquely. There were moments of heart thumping anxiety and fear, and moments of pure joy and happiness. Overall the film creates a real sense of journey.
Shia LaBeouf in my opinion is one of the most underrated talents in the industry and under the correct guidance could give us oscar performance after oscar performance. He gives his all in every performance with pure emotion and passion, when he smiles you smile, when he cries you cry. That is feat not easily done and for that reason I hope to see him in many more films.
Zack Gottsagen deserves the merit for what he's achieved and the issues he raised within this film. He showed real pride and power about his identity and without fail brought a very relevant issue in seeing disability discrimination and seeing these people as the 'other'. He is a brave and intelligent MAN and actor, and he has my utmost respect as a professional in his industry and as a human being.
The ending will leave you on edge, it will make you cry and it will make you happy, a film deserved of accolades and a truly brilliant watch.
The Good Place: Whenever You're Ready (2020)
A real tear jerker
The Good Place on a whole is unique in its style and focus, it embodies for us in an almost poetic fashion, the only thing in the universe that we as humans no nothing about, the afterlife.
Oh, and what a beautiful afterlife it showed (eventually), eventful, peaceful, fulfilling and heartwarming. Something we could only dream for ourselves when we die. A concept that truly brings peace of mind.
What I think this final episode shows better than most shows is the beauty of the inevitable end. Whilst providing us with a heart fulfilling 'goodbye' (of all the character respectively) it also provided us a beautiful 'hello' with michaels character. It emphasises the importance and fleeting nature of time and humanity, as well as the beauty of accepting mortality of not just ourselves but those most important to us.
Through providing us with this soulful journey and reassuring it's viewers that imperfection is what it's meant to be human this episode rounded off a truly beautiful series with a truly gut wrenching finale.
Congratulations to all involved and take it sleazy.
Jungle (2017)
A Potential survival movie gone wrong
Jungle truly had the potential of being an exhilarating and truly intense movie of amateur survival; this however fails to be the case.
The story of Yossi Ghinsberg's experience in the amazon is a true miracle of godly proportions and truly expresses the limits of the human mind in the most extreme environments. His books provide an in depth description of how he survived his ordeal in the Amazon rainforest for 3 weeks with little to no survival skills.
What this movie appears to do is create a 'hollywoodization' of this survival through not focusing on how his mind coped with the situation he was in; rather it relied on the visuals of flashbacks and hallucinations. It does not depict his gruelling survival situations he endured (such as the river, the big, the predators or the environment itself) or the true effect it had not just on the physical human body but the mind as well. It would seem that the film portrays Yossi as purely succumbing to nature rather than his vigorous battle for his life, it simply misses the mark; but I reiterate it had the potential to be a complete showstopper, comparative to that of The Impossible (2012), 127 hours (2010), and Life Of Pie (2012).
Nor does this movie truly show the extent in which his friend Kevin Bale went to finding his friend. He becomes a backing character, and therefore the film doesn't acknowledge the importance of his character to the story and the part he played in Yossi's survival.
However over pure curiosity and a minimal understanding of the story the film is worthy of watching.
1917 (2019)
A complete cinematic experience
The dedication of this movie is shown through the watching experience, it almost amazes me how minimal yet amazing the shots were, simply mind blowing.
All accolades this film receives are thoroughly deserved, a masterclass of cinematography, sound editing and directing, no film in my personal opinion compares. The best war movie ever made. All credits go to the actors, the endurance and skill it must have taken to perfect the scenes must have been both physically and emotionally enduring.
It takes you on a emotional and adrenaline filled journey, which leaves your heart and stomach in your mouth throughout, it embodies war and anguish creating what can simply be described as a complete cinematic experience, I could not take my eyes off the drama.
It's poetic beauty of the fear of the unknown future during war time, the determination of brotherhood and the respect of comrades is shown through the the various scenes taken over a mere 24 hour period, whilst simultaneously making you feel you've known the characters for a lifetime. completely emotionally enticing.
The emotional investment this film creates is almost unbelievable in nature, you empathise a lifestyle you could otherwise never imagine, all credits to the director and his team.
Do not wait until this film is out on dvd, watch it in the cinema, you will never find a movie you feel more apart of ever in your lifetime. Congratulations to all involved.
J'ai perdu mon corps (2019)
I Lost My Body review
An amazing example of human endurance during seemingly hopeless times, shown through poetic and beautiful animation, encompassed by music that is both calming and invited emotional reaction. A tense story of infatuation and stability even through the most traumatic of childhoods.
Klaus (2019)
Review on Klaus
Very heartwarming animation
Beautiful aesthetics and artistry
Perfect Voice cast
Best Christmas film released in a long time