Addiction stories sometimes feel the same. There’s often the same course of events, the same ups and downs. The same results. It doesn’t usually end well in real life. But we hear about some of the ones that do end well. Or do we? I think the problem with some movies about addiction is that we are often given a false sense of finality. We’re given the story – the heartbreak, the drama, the redemption – and then we often get the “update,” that tells us how the character/person ended up. We’re given all of that in Beautiful Boy. But what I think sets it apart is not the formula that is used to present this story. It’s the way it portrays the everlasting nature of addiction itself. It doesn’t go away, not even when you’re sober. It’s always there, eager to re-assert itself and take over your life as soon as it’s given the opportunity.

What can sometimes get lost in these stories is that there is no finality in real life. We happen to benefit from the knowledge that these characters are in fact real people, who still struggle with the same issues we’ve seen laid bare on the screen. The writing and the performances in this movie ensure that we understand one thing very clear: Even though addiction is now so common that it’s become cliché, each person afflicted with it has a unique story that contributes to our understanding of the disease, and how we can fix it. Or maybe not even fix it, because that implies it will go away at some point in the future (it never will). But to at least help it. How can we help ease those who are in pain? How can we make life better for those who are having trouble seeing the value of life? How do we bring loved ones back from the brink? Beautiful Boy doesn’t necessarily have the answers to those questions, but it at least gives us more to witness, more to contemplate, more to empathize with. More to understand.

It helps that Timothee Chalamet and Steve Carrell put in all-star performances. Sure, there’s a heavy helping of sentimentality here. There are lots of tearful scenes, and harrowing depictions of the nature of addiction, and hugs and arguments and reconciliation. All the things you expect from a movie like this. But these actors – all of them, really – breathe such life into their characters that it elevates the film itself. Chalamet is a revelation as Nic Sheff, and I hope he’s given the awards recognition this performance deserves.

There’s much to like about Beautiful Boy. And there’s much that makes you feel uncomfortable. But that’s a good thing, I think.

4 out of 5 stars