Boy Erased
Director: Joel Edgerton
By Alex Watson
Joel Edgerton's career as a director so far shows he is unafraid to tackle sensitive subjects. Adapting Garrard Conley's hard-hitting memoir Boy Erased, Edgerton gives a powerful commentary about the effects of LGBTQ people forced into conversion therapy. He also addresses the fears and often irrational actions of parents concerned more with their image than accepting their children. With a breakout turn from upcoming star Lucas Hedges, this is one of the most powerful films that 2018 has to offer.
Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges) is a young man who is the son of Pastor Marshall Eamons (Russell Crowe) and doting mother Nancy (Nicole Kidman). While away at college, he is outed as gay to his parents who offer him a compromise- either be disowned or attend gay conversion therapy. Forced to attend a program under the leadership of the outspoken Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton), Jared quickly becomes disillusioned with the message being given and has doubts over whether it will cause any real change.
"You cannot be born a homosexual. This is a lie, its a choice," comments Sykes at one stage. Throughout Boy Erased, Edgerton is able to tread a very fine line with his message on conversion therapy. Jared is a young man who encompasses the All-American boy, he is popular, athletic and comes from a loving but devout Baptist family. Edgerton jumps back and forth between timelines to give an impression the past that has plagued Jared. One of the more harrowing sequences comes from when Jared meets fellow college student Henry (Joe Alwyn) and a blossoming romance quickly turns into a sexual assault. Starting in almost rom-com style, this switch from a meet-cute to a life-altering event is shocking. From here, Jared's life begins to unravel. Under Sykes rule, the attendees are frequently put through the emotional wringer and are often derided. Sadistic instructor Brandon (Flea) is particularly savage- forcing students to line up in order of how manly they seem.
Everyone is simply trying to do the right thing, Sykes while abusive and narrow-minded is under the illusion that he is fixing people. However, this approach brings up some moments which are almost unbearable. Such as when fellow classmate Cameron (Britton Sear) is forced to be beaten by his family with bibles to 'strike out the demon'. The slow camera shots and dark orange glow of the room make this look almost like a horror film. Thankfully, Edgerton resists the urge to make these people cartoonish villains and instead he shows people more bound by tradition than hate. Marshall is a proud father who is wary of his families image and is unable to shake the old ways but never once is he made out to be hateful or prejudicial. Nancy is also an old-style mother who 'falls in line' but throughout her awareness about the horror of the situation grows to the extent where she can barely disguise it. Jared at first agrees to this treatment due to his love of the family, but frequently he finds himself plagued by self-doubts and his growing backbone skulks the screen like a tiger. He is never a big talker, but throughout his quiet manner, you can sense his frustration and confusion building.
Boy Erased is a frightening commentary on the real effects of being forced into the closet. In the program, the students are all just trying to push through, but the threat of being kept long term is one that is utterly horrifying. Edgerton smartly casts Quebecois director Xavier Dolan as the conflict Jon who 'salutes' rather than touching others and Australian singer Troye Sivan who encourages our hero to 'fake it till you make it!' These people are always to refer to their homosexuality as a sin and this repression and mental abuse is shown as harming lives rather than saving them. While this type of story might be familiar and in some cases almost a Hollywood staple, Edgerton is able to project a much need bite into proceedings with overselling the potential redemptive themes. One beautifully acted scene towards the end sees Jared finally lays out to his father how their relationship should be and guaranteed there will not be a dry eye in the house! "I don't want to pretend anymore' our hero says and right there is the official slogan the movie is looking for.
Lucas Hedges has already been making a name for himself with his turns in movies such as Manchester by the Sea. Here, he ensures that his name will be among the nominees come Oscar time. His performance is one of great reserve and he fully amplifies the pain and confusion that Jared feels. He also finds room to also give him a likeable yet smart-ass feel as the movie increases and by the end, this character has become fully rounded. Nicole Kidman also gives her all in the supporting department and Nancy's love for her son is frequently tested by never once broken. Russell Crowe has a hard task portraying the unshakable religious father but he adds a human element to this role which shows how a father's love often conflicts with his morals. As the hard-headed Skyes, Joel Edgerton delivers a performance that at times is at risk of being a caricature, but mercifully he elevates his performance to show a man convinced his is doing God's work but his short-sighted approach is only succeeding in driving away those he wants to save. A little tidbit about him at the end credits will raise a smile.
Some may see this type of film as a guaranteed road to Oscar glory- but you can't deny the sheer power of storytelling in Boy Erased. On performances alone, this has serious awards contention.
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