Boy Erased

 

Boy Erased 2018

• Director: Joel Edgerton
• Based on book by Garrard Conley
• Cast: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Lucas Hedges  -Mid90s, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lady Bird, Manchester by the Sea, Moonrise Kingdom, Dan in Real Life
• Nicole Kidman – Many
• Russell Crowe – Many
• Joel Edgerton – The Great Gatsby, Star Wars
• Why? The cast
• Seen: 1 February 2025      

       Jared (Hedges) is the 18-year-old son of fundamentally religious parents Nancy (Kidman) and Marshall (Crowe). He is also gay and his parents enrol him into Love in Action, a clinic which promises to cure homosexuality through Jesus and God.

       Religion puzzles me. And it often scares me. This film is one reason why. Such poison in the name of Jesus and God. Such hate and humiliation and violence pretending to be love.

       The acting is strong, the story – based on Coney’s memoirs – is important. But the film is muddled, the storyline unclear. I think it needs some serious editing.

       Still, it’s worth seeing.        

 3 ½ * of 5