{"id":403,"date":"2018-11-30T01:38:59","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T01:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=403"},"modified":"2019-01-19T21:23:17","modified_gmt":"2019-01-19T21:23:17","slug":"boy-erased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=403","title":{"rendered":"Boy Erased"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\u201cYou cannot be born<\/em> a homosexual\u2026 it\u2019s behavioral; it\u2019s a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

These are the kinds of things Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton) proclaims to the attendees of his Refuge Program at the beginning of \u201cBoy Erased.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to learn<\/em>\u2026 where this behavior comes from,\u201d Sykes asserts to his conversion therapy patients, \u201cso we can change<\/em> it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Blink, blink.<\/p>\n

The film, also directed by Edgerton, is based on Garrard Conley\u2019s memoir of the same name and follows Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges) as he struggles with being outed as gay \u2013 and the consequences that holds for a pastor\u2019s son in small-town Arkansas.<\/p>\n

That we\u2019re aware of the setting is important, and the close-up of the state motto on that license plate is about as blatant and ironic a message as they come: The Land of Opportunity.<\/p>\n

Sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy Erased\u201d packs an emotional punch. Being a behind-the-fourth-wall witness to the verbal and psychological dehumanization of these therapy patients in the name of religion is deeply troubling.<\/p>\n

And if not for the compelling performances from this ensemble cast as well as the steadying sensitivity of Edgerton\u2019s direction, this movie might be too daunting to sit through.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish none of this had ever happened,\u201d Jared states. \u201cBut sometimes I thank God that it did.\u201d<\/p>\n

A quick glance at Hedges\u2019 filmography proves that at almost 22 years old his talents are legit.<\/p>\n

The troubled youth\/coming-of-age roles are his specialty \u2013 \u201cManchester by the Sea<\/a>,\u201d \u201cLady Bird,\u201d \u201cThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri<\/a>\u201d and the upcoming \u201cBen is Back\u201d \u2013 and he\u2019s so<\/em> good that it almost hurts to watch him do his thing.<\/p>\n

At this point it\u2019s not a matter of if<\/em> but when<\/em> he\u2019ll take home an Oscar (watch out, Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet!)<\/p>\n

The bouffant blonde \u2019do, caked-on lipstick, perfect French manicure, fine threads and fancy jewelry cannot conceal yet another stunning portrayal from Nicole Kidman.<\/p>\n

As Jared\u2019s mother, Nancy, Kidman starts off distant yet strong and just gets better as the film progresses \u2013 proving to be an explosive force in one especially memorable sequence.<\/p>\n

Equally as moving is Pastor Eamons\u2019 (Russell Crowe) profoundly weighty 11th<\/sup>-hour conversation with his son. My god!<\/p>\n

I could hear sniffling throughout the theater, and I\u2019m telling you it was completely justified.<\/p>\n

The look of the film makes this story feel exactly like the personal tale it represents.<\/p>\n

Edgerton\u2019s shot selection is both delicate and purposeful, with softened images and intimate close-ups and camera movement that\u2019s so subtle you\u2019ll barely even notice.<\/p>\n

But you\u2019ll feel every bit<\/em> of the desperation.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s discuss the restroom confrontation between Jared and Brandon (Flea, superbly icky here), shall we?<\/p>\n

That shot of Jared\u2019s eyes, barely visible as he peers over the top edge of the partition, is wickedly<\/em> unsettling. Edgerton masterfully creates a palpable distrust that, without so much as a single word, says far more than any verbal exchange ever could.<\/p>\n

And what happens next pushes the tension of this scene completely over the edge.<\/p>\n

Edgerton\u2019s vision emanates an organic quality, and its beautiful composition helps to counter-balance this harsh and nightmarish narrative. God bless!<\/p>\n

Some of the events here are predictable while others very much<\/em> are not \u2013 and they\u2019ll rattle you to the core, so buckle up.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy Erased\u201d is exhausting. And punishing. And alarming.<\/p>\n

There are moments that will make you feel hopeful and others that\u2019ll just make you angry.<\/p>\n

With such captivating displays of talent on both sides of the camera I fully expect \u201cBoy Erased\u201d will generate Oscar nominations for its cast and its director.<\/p>\n

Joel Edgerton gives us exactly the story we need to see \u2013 good or bad \u2013 to fully understand and appreciate Jared\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

You have just enjoyed the insights of Movie Addict Mel, a cinema dork and conversational writer. Follow her on Twitter\u00a0@movieaddictmel<\/a>, and \u201clike\u201d her Facebook page\u00a0www.facebook.com\/movieaddictmel<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n