Con’s Score: 3.5 Bubbling spoons
It’s because of the perceived self-inflicted nature of drug overdoses that people lack the sympathy for victims. I wasn’t aware it’s now the biggest cause of death for people under 50 in the US. It’s time that unsympathetic attitude is dropped, but governments are cutting money. (Perhaps they think CEOs will trickle down some money from their profits).
David Sheff (Steve Carell) is a freelance feature writer for mags like the Rolling Stone. He has a son Nicholas (Timothee Shalamet) who becomes addicted to drugs like ice. Sheff has decided to take us through his harrowing tale of love and dedication. They’ve both written books about it.
Dave is the ultimate in patient fathers. He avoids preaching and has always loved his son, through his divorce and remarriage. His son Nick is bright, good looking and full of personality and has a choice of colleges. His one flaw is a love of drugs.
There’s no point detailing the narrative. It’s predictable and this is realistic. Addicts relapse. They fight their addiction, fight for it, hit bottom and bounce up again; maybe. Director Felix Van Groeningen takes us through David’s point of view and makes some clever switches to his partner Karen’s and Nick’s.
This is bleak yet bearable. Steve Carell carries a perpetual frown but is excellent. Timothee’s performance as Nick is up there with Carell’s. He manages to charm and infuriate you at the same time; this is spot on acting and he has talent. The mother, Vicki (Amy Ryan) and Karen (Maura Tierney) as the step mother are also strong. They come together to put together an impressive movie. At times I wonder why I should care about wealthy middle-class Americans, but it reminds us that anyone can fall to vicious drugs like ice.
This film is produced by Amazon, and personal stories continue to be fodder for American movies these days. They tend to be more honest, grounded and powerful pieces of cinema. They take us into worlds you’d normally avoid and that’s the confronting part. They’re revelations, but no one said they’re comfortable. Reality isn’t, not for addicts or those who ignore them.
Con Nats – Theatre Now: On The Screen
