There are films based on true stories, and then there are films executed by a writer who writes and acts in a story based on his experiences with his father. The latter description is "Honey Boy", which makes this a whole new turn on the film based on a true story concept. Could this be art imitates life? Possibly, but this is certainly an original way of conveying it.
From a screenplay by Shia LaBeouf on his own experiences, filmmaker Alma Har'el brings to life a young actor's stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father through cinema and dreams. Fictionalizing his childhood's ascent to stardom, and subsequent adult crash-landing into rehab and recovery, Har'el casts Noah Jupe as young Otis Lort and Lucas Hedges as adult Otis, navigating different stages in a frenetic career. LaBeouf takes on the daring and therapeutic challenge of playing a version of his own father with the name James Lort, an ex-rodeo clown and a felon. Artist and musician FKA Twigs makes her feature-film debut, playing a shy neighbor and kindred spirit to the younger Otis in their garden-court motel home. Har'el's feature narrative debut is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between filmmaker and subject, exploring art as medicine and imagination as hope.
Others to round out the cast are Laura San Giacomo as Dr. Moreno, Clifton Collins Jr. as Tom, Martin Starr as Alec, Byron Bowers as Percy, Mario Ponce as Tiny and Maika Monroe as Sandra.
This was brilliantly directed by, of all filmmakers, a documentarian, Alma Har'el ("Bombay Beach" (documentary) '11, "LoveTrue" (documentary) '16, "11/8/16" (documentary) '17) plus video shorts. What's incredibly interesting is that a documentarian, who is usually concerned about facts and research, would be able to delineate such a riveting expose into LaBeouf's family history. The emotions she was able to extract from her actors, LaBeouf included was defined with pathos and grit. I would certainly like to see her delve more into feature films if this is what is the outcome of her work. It was brilliantly written by Shia LaBeouf (2 shorts and a video short). Considering this actor has never written a feature film before, this was incredibly delineated with cohesiveness, tightness and thoughtfulness. It was well structured in where he was able to incorporate his earlier and adult years to where the audience could understand where he ended up when he was an adult. I truly believe that if LaBeouf wanted to step away from acting, he could continue to write films and we would be a better people for it. LaBeouf might have steered from the biz for a while being the bad boy of Hollywood, but since he's been back, he has been re-inventing himself. His starring role in "The Peanut Butter Falcon" was brilliant acting and could be nominated come Oscar time. If he doesn't get recognized for that, this could hold a nod for him in the acting or writing category. The only thing one must keep in mind, is that this is not a warm and fuzzy feeling film, but considering LaBeouf's background, it's no doubt that it would be a rough ride.
If you're a LaBeouf fan, you'll love this, but even not, the writing, directing and acting, especially by LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges and Noah Jupe was consummate. It's an artistically well done film that comes across depressing, but if one is patient, it culminates into a bittersweet ending, and isn't that the way life is sometimes?
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: R 94mins.
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