'Honey Boy' film review: Cathartic, personal drama fails to resonate
Make no mistake about it, the profoundly raw drama "Honey Boy" (screening at the 2019 Orcas Island Film Festival) is the Shia LaBeouf story written by LaBeouf and starring LaBeouf. What it may lack in narrative form or trajectory, it makes up for with unflinching and soul-baring honesty.
In short: Young 22-year-old actor Otis (Lucas Hedges) is on a downward spiral. While in court-ordered rehab, he is diagnosed with PTSD - and he looks back at his life as a 12-year-old child actor (Noah Jupe) living with his abusive father James (LaBeouf).
Ideally, any film must be judged solely on its merits, with little to no consideration for real-life aspects that exist outside the film. In the case of "Honey Boy," however, it is nigh impossible to divorce the film from the its subject - whose very fingerprints on almost every facet of this movie. Although the main character's name is "Otis," the movie itself makes only the most minimal effort to pretend that this is not LaBeouf's personal story. The end credits actually include LaBeouf's old photos, revealing the former "Transformers" star as a fresh-faced little kid in pictures with his father.
"Honey Boy" is more of a cathartic exorcism than it is a story told in the three-act structure. While in rehab, Otis is challenged to write down his "trauma reminders," as a means of honestly finding the root cause of the PTSD that is overtaking his life. Small moments while at rehab spark memories of his turbulent life with his volatile father. This is a great framing device - and it's also why "Honey Boy" is obviously a byproduct of LaBeouf's real-life stint in rehab.
LaBeouf's script is unflattering and candid, which gifts "Honey Boy" with harrowing authenticity. Having LaBeouf star as his own father, however, is distracting - even if his performance is strong. The best stories are rooted in universal themes that allow any audience member to connect to the story or a character - but this film constantly reminds the audience that this film is one specific person's experience. It's a snapshot of a time that shaped the life of a very specific kid living under very specific circumstances.
Final verdict: Powerful performances and a heartbreaking script make "Honey Boy" a drama that is, at times, hard to watch -- however, the fact that it is so transparently and specifically LaBeouf's story makes it alienating and difficult to connect with.
Score: 3/5
'Honey Boy' opens in theaters nationwide starting Nov. 8. This autobiographical drama has a running time of 94 minutes and is rated R for pervasive language, some sexual material and drug use.
