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Cast: Maria Bello, Michael Sheen, Kyle Gallner, Alan Tudyk, Meat Loaf Aday
Bill (Michael Sheen) and Kate (Maria Bello) hopelessly try to find some hint of an explanation after finding out that their only son committed a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. They struggle numbly through the funeral, the media onslaught, and the awkward pity from relatives and friends. Their already strained marriage is tested as they realize all they have left with each other is their shared grief and confusion--and the unfortunate legacy of their son. This life-altering event forces Bill and Kate to face their feelings of guilt, rage, blame, self-discovery --and ultimately hope--so that they can finally see each other and their chance for happiness again with clear eyes.
When Sam Carroll calls his parents from college to speak to his parents they could of never know that Sam would to be dead the next day from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after perpetrating a shooting spree at his school.
There have been other films covering this subject matter before but none that I can remember focused on the parents and what they go through after the fact. I suppose it's on human nature to blame them at least partly for what their son or daughter did, "Beautiful Boys" takes a look at two such parents attempting to get past the tragedy, make sense of it all and move on with their lives.
The subject matter here is very sensitive, I mean we have seen it before where everything from the parents to music and even video games have been blamed for causing such behavior but no one knows for sure why people do what they do so the subject is very touchy but the film-makers do a great job in presenting the film without being judgmental, it provides many questions but gives very little in the way of answers.
Beautiful Boy" is a powerful film that at times isn't very easy to watch, I am not sure I would watch it again but I'm glad I experienced it once and I have recommended it to others. One of the key elements to a character-driven film like this is it's cast and Bello and Sheen deliver strong, memorable performances, also Meatloaf has a small role in the film but one scene he is in is simply brilliant.
"Beautiful Boy" is an emotional film on all levels that keeps you glued to the screen the entire time and it leaves you thinking about it long after it's over. Available on DVD and Blu-ray, both come with Special Features that include:
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Shawn Ku, Editor Chad Galster and Cinematographer Michael Fimognari
You can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
**** Out Of *****