Review of Beautiful Boy (2011) by Connor _ — 13 Oct 2011

Critical issue from a new(-ish) perspective. College shootings: a soft-spot in American culture. This film focuses on the shooter's parents (Michael Sheen & Maria Bello). The film also has represented family, friends, coworkers, and the public and their common standings.

Michael Sheen, though his accent sometimes bleeds through a little, steals the movie as the father who goes through multiple emotions over the course of the film. Maria Bello is also sympathetic as the deeply hurt mother who just wonders why.

Possibly one of the most touching performances, though, is the briefly-seen teenage gunman himself, played by Kyle Gallner. The sadness and complex mystery of his character is captured in minimal lines.

The problem is the film's monotone pacing. It needs more rise-and-falls, it's too much of the same feeling captured throughout the film. Though lacking in vivid originality, the screenplay shines at a few points in particular which make it a worthy watch.

B+.