You’re not meant to judge a book by its cover and nor should you make assumptions about a film’s quality by the strength of its cast. But looking through the line-up of Boy Erased, it’s hard not to feel primed for some Oscar-worthy quality.
At the top of the bill is Lucas Hedges, a young man who is striking gold with everything he touches; indeed, his most recent three films – Manchester by the Sea, Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – all scored Best Picture nominations. But Hedges, who plays the college-aged Jared coming to terms with his sexuality, is arguably the least-known name in a cast that includes Best Actor winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman as his ultra-Baptist parents, and Joel Edgerton as the leader of a cult-like conversion therapy camp where his parents enlist him.
The drama, which Edgerton also directs, is based on Garrard Conley’s autobiographical book of the same name in which he reflects on growing up gay in a religious household and taking steps to ‘get better’. As director and co-writer, Edgerton makes no effort to justify the harmful practices of conversion therapy – he wants you to sympathise with Jared – but he does steer clear of ridiculing or mocking religion or religious people. His decision to cast himself as the proverbial ‘bad guy’ is indicative of this; it’s in his interest to understand the underlying motivations behind what most of us can accept are misguided individuals.
In terms of casting, the four leads are only the tip of the iceberg. It’s not just the presence of A-graders that makes this film, but it’s what every other actor brings to their respective roles. While their performances are comparatively minute, the choice of Transparent’s Cherry Jones as Jared’s doctor is an inspired choice, as is the decision to cast Flea (yes, the Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame) as an aggressive warden. Similarly, the convincing performances of Canadian arthouse director Xavier Dolan and South African pop superstar Troye Sivan make us care for the other young adults trying to navigate their way through conversion therapy, rather than perceiving them as nameless, faceless victims.
The reason casting is so important is because this is a film built on emotions. You could summarise the plot in a matter of sentences, but telling you what happens wouldn’t do justice to the way this film elicits an emotional response from its audience. When Jared is frustrated, we’re frustrated with him. And such is the strength of Crowe and Kidman’s acting that even when they feel scared about their son’s same-sex attraction, you might be surprised to find yourself empathising with their conflict.
Aside from the strong acting performances from his cast, Edgerton proves his wares as a filmmaker through other strong choices. The folk music that accompanies the film encapsulates a reflective, yet resilient, tone. Elsewhere, the non-linear manner in which Edgerton retells Jared’s story ensures a nice juxtaposition between the heartwarming nature of finding love and the distressing idea of changing who you are.
For a film about such a disturbing subject matter, Boy Erased is – for the most part – not a particularly disturbing film. And for the way it evokes emotion and connects you with its characters, it’s one film that should certainly capture the attention of the Oscar judges.
Boy Erased is in cinemas from 8th November through Universal Pictures.
