Films are presented to audiences to share a story, convey a message, and, largely to evoke an emotional reaction. There are many that successfully do this, making you laugh, smile, cringe, cry, or feel fear, anger, and sadness. And then, there are the films that rip your heart out, and, that’s exactly what Alma Har’el’s narrative directorial debut is. Honey Boy is one of those rare cathartic films that’s unlike anything that’s ever come before it.
From Disney channel’s Evan Stevens to spearheading the epic live-action Transformers franchise, it’s undoubtedly clear that Shia LaBeouf has a maintained a staggeringly successful film career since first stepping onto a set at the age of twelve. This makes it all the more poetic that a film offering a look into his Hollywood centric childhood, is Shia’s most triumphant work to date, and, subsequently, one of the best pieces of cinema to grace our screens in 2019.
With a screenplay that was originally penned as a form of therapy, Honey Boy is a semi autobiographical account of Shia LaBeouf’s childhood and relationship with his father, starring Lucas Hedges and Noah Jupe as protagonist, Otis, in different decades. LaBeouf himself also features as Otis’ father, James.
Set in both 1995 and 2005, the premise follows a 22-year-old Otis as he’s admitted into rehab after a drunken altercation with the police (which we quickly discover has not been a one time occurrence). While in the facility he’s formally diagnosed with a case of post traumatic stress disorder and is subsequently encouraged by his therapist to hone in on the source of his trauma, a journey that he reluctantly but ultimately undertakes throughout the film in the form of exposure therapy.
It’s during and in-between these therapy sessions that we’re cast a look into Otis childhood, and, the striking contrast between his career and home life. The bright glamour and excitement of Hollywood film sets only make the rundown motel room shared between Otis and his father once each day on set ends all the more bleak.
James, a man who never made it in the acting business, only going so far as to maintain a career as a rodeo clown, is desperate for his son to achieve what he himself couldn’t. With a heavy felony hanging over him and a dangerous history of alcoholism, he’s is a loose cannon and doesn’t shy away from abusive behaviour. While Otis does want to succeed, his desire to be seen by his father, and, mend their fractured relationship ultimately precedes his career aspirations. Due to the rocky nature of their relationship and circumstances, it seems Otis is rarely able to take a breathe, demonstrated only as he wanders the motel’s junkyard surroundings or shares gleeful, tender moments of friendship with FKA Twigs Shy Girl.
At its core Honey Boy is painful. A gut punch. It’s not easy to watch but it’s absolutely something that should be seen. It’s Shia LaBeouf at his most vulnerable as both an actor and writer, having peeled back layers of his life, leaving wounds exposed and emotions bleeding through his script. It’s Lucas Hedges stunningly depicting the pain that comes with survival and the beginnings of recovery. It’s Noah Jupe delivering one of the best young performances of the decade.
Honey Boy hurts.
And that’s exactly why you should watch it.
