Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

GazerRise Fantastic!

Sharkflei Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

jennifer626 I watched this film last night, two weeks after the bombing at the Boston Marathon, where some virtual bystanders are still wringing their hands about how "normal" and "sweet" Suspect #2 was. The parents are angry and either in utter denial or (at least with respect to the mother) in silent conspiracy, claiming that the brothers were framed and they could not have been terrorists. The characters and plot line in "Beautiful Boy" resemble the Sandy Hook horror even more closely. Imagine that Nancy Lanza was not killed by her son and that Peter Lanza still lived at home, unhappy and on the verge of moving out. Their anguished discussions, how they individually deal with the guilt and grief, their desperate investigation of their son's life for clues as to how and why, the blame and heartbroken accusations that they hurl at each other - - these are so spot on that the film can be uncomfortable and unnerving. The movie also masterfully captures the wide spectrum of others' reactions. The brother and sister-in-law who offer their home and as much love and sympathy as they can, but still emit occasional flashes of blame and fear for how their own son could be impacted by their presence. A young author who the wife believes is a friend, until she finds him hunting through her son's belongings for material for the book he wants to write. The open house held for the home, where media vultures, neighbors with cameras, and the thrill-seeking curious thoughtlessly devour the cookies the wife baked, hoping that they would make the house smell better. Michael Sheen and Maria Bello play the roles of husband and wife with precision and depth. Moon Bloodgood (soon to return in the upcoming "Falling Skies" season) seems somewhat dispassionate and impersonal in her interactions with others as the sister-in-law, but that is a criticism I have for most of her performances. The scene where she expresses frustration to her husband about Maria taking over control of the home comes across as rehearsed. Alan Tudyk (currently in "Suburgatory") as the brother is more sympathetic to the plight of his family, but also displays a limited range of emotion. The son, played by Kyle Gallner, is mesmerizing in his few moments of screen time, and I feel that the movie would have been much stronger if we were permitted to see a little more of his college environment and the days leading up to the shooting.However, I recognize that is the very point of the movie - - we want to understand how people make these terrible decisions, but we never can see enough evidence because ultimately there is nothing that can justify such evil. The parents, who are arguably the ones who should have the best chance of understanding their children's motivations and conduct, are often as lost and confused as the rest of the world, with the added component of trying to comprehend the degree of their own culpability. Those dynamics are nicely captured in this film.

debsturrs11 I saw a quick preview of this film and instantly bought it. I had never seen a film made in the perspective of a shooter's parents before and i was wondering how it would be made. I think that this film was well-made. Nothing to jump off the roof about, but definitely not a cringer either. What i enjoyed most was watching the dynamic of the about to split up couple go through it's ups and downs--it was VERY realistic and i appreciated that touch there. Although, i would've been happier to know more of the details about the shooting and why the son did it--but i guess just like in real life, you never really know why mass shooter's do these things. You just be a good parent and hope for the best. I enjoyed the heart in this film.

edwagreen A saving grace of this film was the magnificent performances of Maria Bello and Michael Sheen in the title roles, a couple who are totally devastated when their beloved son takes his own life at his college after committing mass murder.While truly a depressing film, it examines the effects of this tragedy on the parents. Apparently, their marriage was far from a good one, and this horrendous event turns things beyond the breaking point.They don't know where to hide when television cameras show up at their home. They flee to her brother, but the sister-in-law isn't too keen to have them, especially when their child is told by the other children that you'll wind up with your cousin in hell.Their lives totally collapse and their doesn't seem a way out. At no time is therapy recommended.Years back I could have easily seen Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson in the role of the devastated parents.

Kareninva This is a very thought provoking film. The performances by Michael Sheen and Maria Bello are moving. The chemistry between the two actors is very believable. The grieving process was honestly portrayed. The emotional journey makes you want to see some healing occur for this couple. I loved that the violence was not the focus of this film. This is a story about two people who lose their only son who clearly love him. In the end, whether the son committed a terrible act of violence or not, it's about picking up the pieces and trying to heal. It was wonderfully revealed how ugly and destructive hate is without being preachy. Tissues are needed to watch this one.