Honey Boy (2019)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video

Movie Name/Year: Honey Boy (2019)

Genre:  Drama

Length:  94 minutes

Rating: R

Production/Distribution: Production Co: Automatik, Delirio Films, Stay Gold Features, Amazon Studios, Kindred Spirit, Red Crown Productions, Belladonna Productions, Adler Entertainment, Cine Canibal, GAGA, Sony Pictures Releasing, United International Pictures, Universal Pictures International, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, Stage 6 Films

Director: Alma Har'el

Writer: Shia LaBeouf

Actors: Natasha Lyonne, Maika Monroe, Clifton Collins Jr., Noah Jupe, Lucas Hedges, Shia LeBeouf, Laura San Giacomo, FKA Twigs, Byron Bowers

Blurb from IMDb: A young actor's stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father and deal with his mental health.

Cat’s Point of View:

When Honey Boy was released in November of 2019 it had a lot of stiff box office competition. The movie didn’t even make it to my Top 20, while Selina had the film listed at number 18. Critics adore Honey Boy and it got standing ovations at film festivals – so why did I give it a pass? It’s simple. This is just the sort of heavy drama with emotional baggage that I tend to avoid if given the opportunity.

That being said, I did my best to watch with an open mind and try to put myself in the young main character’s shoes.

Let me tell you, they are shoes that I would have found it very difficult to walk around in.

Shia LaBeouf (Charlie Countryman, Fury, Peanut Butter Falcon) excelled in portraying the character based on his father in this somewhat autobiographical tale. It was really hard to watch in places, and as a parent it just made me wince internally over and over again.

I’m going to be frank in saying I didn’t enjoy this movie. It was a raw and honest revelation about the actor’s life and the path that led to some of his poorer decisions. That’s not to say that the film was bad. It was executed very well. It was powerful. I connected with the characters and hurt for them.

My rating here is on the level of execution of the story and overall movie. While I won’t be watching this one again to spare myself a return to this roller-coaster ride, fans of hard-hitting drama and biopics might find this right up their alley. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 94%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 92%

Metascore – 73/100

Metacritic User Score – 7.2/10

IMDB Score – 7.3/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

P.S. There are some photos shown during the credits of LaBeouf and his father. There is also a very small scene during the credits.

Movie Trailer: