Review: Honey Boy (2019)

TIFF: Honey Boy (2019)

Yes, yes, I know TIFF has long come and gone but I still have one more review to espouse upon the masses. Honey Boy, written by and starring Shia LaBeouf, is his very personal story of his life growing up in the limelight with his father, James Lort. The film is powerfully moving, at times disturbing and also enlightening into the early life of this troubled actor and his later life attempting to coming to terms with and moving forward into a less-destructive way of life. It is a true testament to the talent of LaBeouf, both in his acting and writing, as well as that of Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges (who play versions of LaBeouf at different points in his life) as well as Alma Ha'rel who makes her feature directorial debut here.

As most of us know, throughout the past number of years Shia LaBeouf has been at the forefront of many tabloid-esque stories, often showcasing eccentric and/or anti-social displays and run-ins with various individuals. Though none of this really tarnished LaBeouf's very high-calibre acting, it arguably did cast a shadow upon his 'well-being' and character. Many saw him as being yet another deeply troubled former child star contending with issues of various forms. Now comes Honey Boy, a revelatory film that sheds more than a little light on the difficult life LaBeouf had growing up with his father as he starred in a successful children's tv show that quickly pushed him past the level of success his father ever attained as a semi-professional clown.
On top of the film's high quality, one of my greatest takeaways stepping out of Honey Boy was the thought of how very different the world would have seen and received LaBeouf during his 'difficult years' had this film already been released. I will not lie; I was one of the people who rolled his eyes when I saw LaBeouf's crazy internet video, his many arrests and fights and other incidents. However, watching Honey Boy made me regret ever doing so. It is a lesson in empathy and appreciation, once again teaching us not to judge another before understanding where they came from and what they have or haven't gone through. The film is very meta in this and much of its present storyline is in LaBeouf/Otis (Hedges) coming to terms with his past childhood and later life while in rehab. This culminates in Otis actually beginning to write the script of Honey Boy in the film as a means of his own therapy - it is that meta.

As mentioned, all three of the leading actors are exceptionally strong here, each giving powerful performances. Again, that meta quality is prevalent as LaBeouf plays his own troubled and abusive father, bringing one more level of self-reflection to the film. The script, cinematography and directing are all top notch as well. Honey is a deeply personal and introspective film. It is the kind of important indie darling that needs to be seen by the masses.