[Review] Boy Erased (8.5/10)

Title - Boy Erased
Studio - Focus Features
Starring - Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton
Writer - Joel Edgerton
Director - Joel Edgerton
Release - 2 November 2018

This was one of the year's best that I had missed.

The Good:

- The performances in this movie were incredible, led by Lucas Hedges. I doubted him back in Manchester By The Sea, but here I clearly saw what kind of talent this kid has. Of the up-and-comers that do have the gift of acting, Hedges is just behind Timothee Chalamet.

- Not just Hedges, but Kidman and Crowe both could have easily earned nominations for their performances here. And I am very surprised this movie had none in the acting category, as well as writer and director.

- The direction, as well as the writing, by Edgerton, should have had been nominated at this year's Oscars. I really thought this was something special.

- The bits about discrimination and homophobia were very powerful and the audience could perhaps begin to understand what this minority community may be feeling in their lives.


The Bad:

- Perhaps the importance of showing discrimination and homophobia were overpowering at times and lacked subtlety and softness.