Film Review: Beautiful Boy

Director: Shawn Ku

Unfortunately, with increasing volume we seem to see tragedies involving mass-murder and suicide in our world. It was only a matter of time before the world of film put this under the microscope and films were made on the subject. We need to talk about Kevin (which I apologise now for the fact I will compare the two constantly) attracted some attention at the Oscars this year but last year also saw Beautiful Boy released, somewhat under the radar.

Michael Sheen as Bill Carroll and Maria Bello as Kate Carroll

The film looks straight into the aftermath of the shootings at an un-named university where Sam Carroll (Kyle Gallner) has shot dead 17 people and killed himself. Bill (Michael Sheen) and Kate (Maria Bello) have to deal with the death of their son as well as the atrocities that he committed. There are angry people on TV saying it is the parents fault but not the sort of bullying and harassment witnessed in We need to talk about Kevin (review here: We need to talk about Kevin review )

Both the leads are excellent as they go through the anguish and turmoil, Sheen plays a man who deals with his emotions by just suppressing them until everything boils over. Bello is the sort of mother that many people can relate to in her behaviour and is in many ways the typical mother. Beautiful Boy doesn't focus on Sam much at all as a child like We need to talk about Kevin, he is presented as a normal college student rather than an angry evil child. Beautiful Boy tries too hard not to glamourize the events that happen and possibly says too little about these sort of killings, it is far too timid in its approach.

Kyle Gallner as Sam Carroll, rarely shown in the movie

It isn't trying to delve deeply into why these tragic events happen and what drives people to commit these crimes, it tries to make you feel sorry for the parents who it seems did nothing wrong. They were just hugely unfortunate to have a son who didn't know how to communicate his feelings and get the help he needed. Maybe they were hoping you would think differently about parents in this situation rather than instantly blame them?

2/4 slow and timid at times but does pull at your conscience.