An Amazon Studios Picture, Written by Shia LaBeouf, Directed by Alma Har’el
For many people this was one of the big omissions from awards season this year, and I mainly agree that it was snubbed. It isn’t perfect but it is an incredibly cathartic, honest, and well made film.
While it isn’t explicit in the film, this is very obviously a re-telling (from his own script) of Shia LaBeouf’s child hood and it pulls no punches, offering a telling insight into his complicated childhood and going some way to explain how he turned into the man he is.
The story isn’t told exactly like a traditional biopic which allows it to be a bit more adventurous, and director Alma Har’el proves to be a real find, and I really look forward to what she does next.
The films cast is very strong, with FKA Twigs making a very tough character seem kind and interesting in the few scenes she had. Lucas Hedges has proved over the last few years what a force to be reckoned with that he is, and he does the best he can in his limited role.
Noah Jupe is the lead and shows he is a real talent, even at such a young age, and seems set to have a long career.
The one part of the film I truly believe should’ve been recognised in this awards season is Shia LaBeouf. His performance as his own father is remarkable, it is brutally honest, funny, unnerving, and eventually heartbreaking.
Rating = 3.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 