Let’s be honest I wasn’t a big fan of Shia LaBeouf. Having only seen him in a few rolls my perceptions were based on what I’d read in the tabloids. But then I saw the Peanut Butter Falcon movie. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. So when I was invited to review Honey Boy I wasn’t too sure what to expect.
Based on a screenplay by LaBeouf, Honey Boy explores his experiences growing up.
Otis (Noah Jupe), a fictional character based on LaBeouf, is first seen as a 12 year old living with his father in a less than ideal motel environment.
His father James Lort (played by LaBeouf) is an out of work rodeo-clown four years into recovery. Working as Otis’scarer it’s unclear whether Lort’s motivation is out of a love for his son or the paycheck he receives in return. Sadly this is something Otis questions too.
Early on we learn that Lort is a war vet who on returning home went on a drunken binge. On waking that that we finds out himself on a sex offenders list for a rape he can’t recall.
The film osculates between the young and old Otis (played by Lucas Hedges). After a car accident the older Otis goes to rehab where we get a glimpse into what it takes to re-enter the real world. Along the way there are some great quotable moments, such as:
“You can walk on water until someone tells you you don’t know how to.”
“The only thing my father gave me that was of any value was pain.”
“Let a grudge down or it will kill you.”
Honey Boy is a power, poignant insight into life as a child actor, and a reminder that everything is not as it seems on the sparkly box.
As I watched the real images of LaBeouf and his father scroll through with the credits I pondered:
- This movie totally changed my mind about LaBeouf, what a life he’s fought against to be the success he has and is becoming;
- The main message is best wrapped up by the final song, “All I Want To Do Is Be Friends With You”;
- Ultimately though the movie left me wondering where his mother was in all this, as she was only fleetingly depicted as a voice at the end of the phone.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas
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