Honey Boy

Shia LaBeouf's career has been far from normal. Beginning as a Disney child actor, he's risen to Hollywood star, been dismissed as a celebrity train wreck and subsequently evolved into a method acting performance artist. Now he reflects on his life by bringing his own story to the screen.

Honey Boy follows troubled actor Otis (Lucas Hedges), who, after drunken arrests, is forced into rehab where he must deal with his own addiction and ignored PTSD. There he reflects on his life as a child actor (Noah Jupe), and living with his own erratic and abusive manager/father (Shia LaBeouf).

Through LaBeouf’s unique point of view, the film is a wonderfully raw deconstruction of the pitfalls children in the entertainment industry face. It provides a genuine look at childhood trauma and feels like LaBeouf is trying to make peace with the sins of his father and his own past (and perhaps have fun at the expense of his own career as well – Transformers and all).

Though the film may end abruptly, it’s an enjoyable ride. It’s capably directed by Alma Har'el and beautifully shot by Natasha Braier, giving it an intimate, personal feel.

Hedges effectively channels the unpredictable and hothead nature of LaBeouf a decade ago, while Jupe shows incredible range and nuance as young Otis. It’s LaBeouf himself that carries the film however, boldly portraying a version of his own father with immense intensity, charisma and a big dash of pathos.

Honey Boy is a fantastically poignant drama infused with LaBeouf’s heart and soul.