I was in a puddle of tears the first time I watchedThe Broken Circle Breakdownand now the same it true of directorFelix van Groeningen’s latest feature film,Beautiful Boy. The movie is an adaptation of the pair of best-selling memories from father and son, David and Nic Sheff. The movie featuresCall Me By Your NamestarTimothee Chalametas Nic, a teenager suffering through the vicious cycle of addiction, recovery and relapse while his father played bySteve Carelltries whatever he can to help Nic through it all.
Similar toThe Broken Circle Breakdown,Beautiful Boyis a deeply moving piece that explores the complexities of trauma and its effect on a family. It’s another very tough watch so when I got the chance to sit down with van Groningen to talk about making the film, I had to ask him about what draws him to such emotional and challenging material. Check out what he had to say about that, hear about his experience working with Chalamet and Carell, why he thinks it’s important to explore the dark corners of life and more in the video interview at the top of this article. You can alsoclick hereto watch my conversation with Chalamet, Carell andAmy Ryan.
Beautiful Boyalso starsMaura Tierney,Kaitlyn Dever,Andre RoyoandTimothy Hutton.
You can find the official synopsis forBeautiful Boybelow:
Based on the best-selling pair of memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff, Beautiful Boy chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years. Starring Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney and Amy Ryan.
For more on the film:
