Boy Erased

Starring: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, Madelyn Cline, Victor McCay, David Joseph Craig, Troye Sivan, Cherry Jones
Directed by: Joel Edgerton
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
2018

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After admitting he might be gay, the son (Lucas Hedges) of a preacher (Russell Crowe) is forced to attend a gay conversion therapy program.

Review:

Tim: I've always been a big fan of Joel Edgerton. I'm not sure what it is, but I just connect with and like the guy. So, I was interested to see Boy Erased, a movie he adapted for the big screen, directed, and in which he plays an important supporting role. It helps that the movie shines a light on an unconscionable, disgusting practice that is still allowed in far too many states. This movie is occasionally difficult to watch, but it's an important film based on a true story. I really enjoyed this movie and while it doesn't quite reach greatness, it very much deserves to be seen.

I appreciated the subject matter here. I'd heard of gay conversion therapy and had some sense of what it might be, but I never really understood the intricacies of it. It's not presented in a truly horrific fashion, but it's still abhorrent. You really feel for the unwilling participants in this "therapy". I know some people in this country feel it's a controversial issue, that you can "pray away the gay." All I can say is that idea makes me sick to my stomach. I lament young people who are forced into this. You think about the psychological and emotional damage "therapy" like this does and you just shudder. I've never understood how followers of Jesus- who preached tolerance and love for all- could use his name and message for their own nefarious purposes. I really appreciate that Edgerton worked so hard to put this on display for the world to see. I learned a great deal about these programs and it just reinforced how awful they are.

Edgerton wisely assembles an incredible cast for this film. The cast really elevates the material even more. Lucas Hedges has been on fire in recent years, showing up in a number of truly good films and each time, he delivers a powerful performance with a greater emotional capacity than you would expect from someone his age. He was excellent in Manchester by the Sea and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (two of the best movies of the last two years), gave a good performance in the solid Lady Bird, and he adds another impressive performance to his resume here. He's quickly becoming an actor whose films I would actively seek out. He's really good in this film- he conveys the right amount of emotion and vulnerability. You really feel for his character- he's not a kid anymore, but he doesn't have the experience or wisdom of adulthood. He's caught in between, which makes his plight here hard to watch. Hedges really does a great job.

The supporting cast is impressive. It was good to see Russell Crowe here. It feels like we haven't seen him enough on the big screen in recent years. He put on a lot of weight to play this role and while his screen time is minimal, he makes a lasting impression. I've been so impressed how Crowe has the ability to play protagonists who we really care about, but can shift and play these inflexible characters that are off-putting. He has a lot of range and that was on display here. I also loved seeing Nicole Kidman. Kidman has very quietly been building a shockingly impressive resume. She hasn't been taking big, flashy roles. But, she keeps doing incredible work as lead or support in movies like this. They're often the kinds of movies not many people are seeing, but it shows just how talented Kidman is. I thought she gave a very good performance here. I also appreciated Edgerton's performance. He took perhaps the most unlikable role of the film for himself and he doesn't disappoint. I like Edgerton, but I just wanted to punch his character in the face, repeatedly. It was impressive how he transformed himself into this slimy character.

I want to stress that I thoroughly enjoyed Boy Erased, even as I cringed at the subject matter. This was a hard movie to watch at times, but it's an important movie. I wish more people would see it. As much as I'm a huge fan of the film, it doesn't surprise me that it was shut out of the Academy Awards. It feels just below that level. Although I could have seen Hedges or Edgerton nominated for their performance, the movie as a whole feels good but not great. I truly believe Edgerton has a great movie in him as a director. This one got awfully close and I believe it's only the second feature film he's directed. This is an worthwhile film and one I'd recommend without hesitation.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Manchester by the Sea, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lady Bird