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I usually write movies up as soon as I've watched them so that they're a fresh as possible in my mind, but life got in the way on this one, so please forgive my crap writing.
Boy Erased (Joel Edgerton, 2018)
Imdb
Date Watched: 12/08/18
Cinema or Home: Cinema, with Funny Face
Reason For Watching: Russell Crowe
Rewatch: No.
Although it was Russell Crowe's casting in this film was what initially piqued my interest in it, Boy Erased is a film that I think I would have wanted to see regardless. It's the story of a preacher's son who is sent away to a gay conversion camp and as such it touches on homophobia and on the damaging effects of certain religious beliefs and practices.
Overall, the film is a solid watch. Lucas Hedges turns in an admirable performance as the lead - giving his character a very believable combination of innocence and strength, and the supporting cast, including director Joel Edgerton as the head of staff at the camp, Nicole Kidman as the boy's mother, and of course Russell Crowe as the boy's father, all give strong performances as well. (There's also a surprising appearance by Flea, as a homophobic ex-con working at the camp who is presented as being an example of a "real man.") Unfortunately, however, Crowe isn't given much to do. I haven't read the novel that this film was adapted from, but this was my one big gripe about the film - the father's beliefs and his disconnect from his son were so important to the events of the film, yet we see very little of him. I realize that the film's purpose was more to shed light on these camps - and I appreciated that it did so in a mostly matter-of-fact and not overly dramatized way - but I would've felt a stronger emotional connection to the film if his personal relationships were explored more.
Ultimately a well made film, but one that didn't quite pack the emotional punch I had hoped for.
+
Boy Erased (Joel Edgerton, 2018)
Imdb
Date Watched: 12/08/18
Cinema or Home: Cinema, with Funny Face
Reason For Watching: Russell Crowe
Rewatch: No.
Although it was Russell Crowe's casting in this film was what initially piqued my interest in it, Boy Erased is a film that I think I would have wanted to see regardless. It's the story of a preacher's son who is sent away to a gay conversion camp and as such it touches on homophobia and on the damaging effects of certain religious beliefs and practices.
Overall, the film is a solid watch. Lucas Hedges turns in an admirable performance as the lead - giving his character a very believable combination of innocence and strength, and the supporting cast, including director Joel Edgerton as the head of staff at the camp, Nicole Kidman as the boy's mother, and of course Russell Crowe as the boy's father, all give strong performances as well. (There's also a surprising appearance by Flea, as a homophobic ex-con working at the camp who is presented as being an example of a "real man.") Unfortunately, however, Crowe isn't given much to do. I haven't read the novel that this film was adapted from, but this was my one big gripe about the film - the father's beliefs and his disconnect from his son were so important to the events of the film, yet we see very little of him. I realize that the film's purpose was more to shed light on these camps - and I appreciated that it did so in a mostly matter-of-fact and not overly dramatized way - but I would've felt a stronger emotional connection to the film if his personal relationships were explored more.
Ultimately a well made film, but one that didn't quite pack the emotional punch I had hoped for.
+
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