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Boy Erased

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For the book the film is based on, see Boy Erased: A Memoir.

Boy Erased
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel Edgerton
Screenplay by
  • Joel Edgerton
Based onBoy Erased: A Memoir
by Garrard Conley
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyEduard Grau
Edited byJay Rabinowitz
Music by
  • Danny Bensi
  • Saunder Jurriaans
Production
companies
Distributed byFocus Features
Release dates
  • September 1, 2018 (2018-09-01) (Telluride)
  • November 2, 2018 (2018-11-02) (United States)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$11 million[1]
Box office$11.9 million[2]

Boy Erased is a 2018 American biographical drama film based on Garrard Conley's 2016 memoir of the same name. It is written and directed by Joel Edgerton, who also produced with Kerry Kohansky Roberts and Steve Golin. The film stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Edgerton, and follows the son of Baptist parents who is forced to take part in a gay conversion therapy program.

Boy Erased premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2018, and also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was theatrically released in the United States on November 2, 2018, by Focus Features and grossed over $11 million worldwide. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who mostly praised the performances of the cast, and received various award nominations, including two Golden Globe Award nominations: Best Actor for Hedges and Best Original Song for "Revelation". The film won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the 30th GLAAD Media Awards.

Plot

Jared Eamons[a] is the son of Marshall Eamons, a successful car dealer and Baptist preacher in Arkansas, and Nancy Eamons, a self-styled hairdresser. He begins his first day at the Love In Action gay conversion therapy assessment program in Memphis, Tennessee. Chief therapist Victor Sykes tells the group that their sexuality is a choice influenced by poor parenting. He instructs them to perform harsh "moral inventories" of themselves and their families and requires them not to tell anyone else about what occurs during the sessions.

While performing his moral inventory, Jared thinks of his life prior to entering the program. In high-school, he was well-adjusted and happy, though he breaks up with his girlfriend upon starting college. Once there, he becomes friends with another student, Henry. While staying the night in Jared's dorm room, Henry rapes Jared and tearfully confesses that he has done the same to another young man. Traumatized, Jared returns home to recover. Henry calls the Eamons' home and poses as a school counselor in order to out Jared and ensure his silence. Jared confesses to being attracted to men. After consulting with other pastors, Marshall signs him up for conversion therapy, to which Jared reluctantly agrees.

Nancy rents a nearby motel room for her and Jared to stay in until he completes the assessment; however, Jared soon discovers that the therapy has no set end point, and may require him to move into an on-campus home if he fails to convince Sykes that he has become straight.

Weeks into his therapy, Jared gets to know the other attendees also seeking to become straight. Some, like Jon, are fanatically devoted to conversion to the point where they refuse to even touch other men. Others, like Gary, are merely pretending that the therapy is working until they can be released and return to a normal life. At her insistence, Jared lets Nancy read the program's handbook, which is full of questionable psychology and obvious grammatical errors.

After failing an exercise, attendee Cameron is humiliated by Sykes in front of the group and intimidated with a fake funeral service. Cameron is beaten with bibles by both the therapists and his own family and forcibly dunked in a bathtub in one of the program's prison-like homes. Jared thinks of a brief, romantic, intimate encounter he had with an art student, Xavier, in college.

Jared challenges Sykes when the therapist suggests during an exercise that Jared hates his father. He storms out of the room, successfully retrieves his mobile phone, and calls Nancy to pick him up. Though Sykes, his counselors, and the other attendees corner Jared, Cameron stands up for him and escorts Jared safely to Nancy, who takes him home, horrified and ashamed that she allowed Marshall to enroll him in an unvetted program without researching its practices. Marshall remains adamant about Jared remaining in the program, but Nancy overrules his wishes. Soon after Jared learns that Cameron has committed suicide while still in the program's care. Marshall approaches Jared to console him, but Jared turns away.

Four years later, Jared has moved to New York City with his boyfriend. He writes an article that exposes the realities of conversion therapy. Jared returns home to convince his father to read the article and take accountability for his actions. The two begin to reconcile when he asks his father to visit him for Christmas.

Cast

Production

Garrard Conley and Joel Edgerton at Telluride Film Festival

On June 8, 2017, it was revealed that a bidding war had begun between Netflix, Annapurna Pictures, Focus Features, and Amazon Studios for distribution rights to a film package set to star Lucas Hedges, Joel Edgerton, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, and be directed and written by Edgerton, based on Garrard Conley's memoir Boy Erased.[3] On June 21, 2017, it was announced that the bidding war for distribution rights for Boy Erased had boiled down to Netflix and Focus Features, and the latter ultimately won the rights.[4]

In the press release, Edgerton spoke proudly of the project, stating:

I'm excited to work with an ensemble of actors, seasoned and new, to bring Garrard's story to the screen. I think Focus is the perfect partner on this, and I will always thank Garrard for trusting my passion for his life story. I can't think of a better reason to get behind the camera again.[5]

In August 2017, the majority of the supporting cast was announced.[6] In September 2017, Joe Alwyn and Madelyn Cline joined the cast as well,[7][8] and principal photography on the film began September 8, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia.[9][10] In April 2018, re-shoots took place.[11][12][13]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2018.[14][15] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, first for the press and industry on September 8, 2018, and then for the public on September 11, 12, and 15.[16] The film was initially scheduled for release on September 28, 2018,[17] but was pushed back to November 2, 2018.[18]

Reception

Box office

Boy Erased opened in five theaters and grossed $207,057, an average of $41,411 per venue, the thirteenth-highest opening weekend per-theater average of 2018. In its second weekend, it grossed $758,173 from 77 theaters.[19] Overall, Boy Erased grossed $6.8 million in the United States and Canada and $4.6 million in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $11.4 million.[2]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 81% based on 250 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Anchored in empathy by writer-director-star Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased proves the road to complex, powerfully performed drama can also be paved with good intentions."[20] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 69 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21] Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film a 95% overall positive score and an 85% "definite recommend".[19]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) and recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Artios Awards January 31, 2019 Feature Big Budget Drama Carmen Cuba, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting)
Chase Paris (Location Casting) and Shelby Cherniet (Associate) 		Nominated [22]
AACTA Awards December 2, 2018 Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Edgerton Won [23]
Best Direction Joel Edgerton Nominated
Best Film Kerry Kohansky Roberts, Steve Golin, Joel Edgerton Nominated
Best Lead Actor Lucas Hedges Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Russell Crowe Nominated
Joel Edgerton Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nicole Kidman Won
January 4, 2019 Best International Supporting Actor Joel Edgerton Nominated
Best International Supporting Actress Nicole Kidman Won
Camerimage International Film Festival November 10–17, 2018 Best Directorial Debut Joel Edgerton Nominated [24]
Chicago International Film Festival October 10–21, 2018 Gold Q-Hugo Award Boy Erased Nominated [25]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 13, 2019 Best Supporting Actress Nicole Kidman Nominated [26]
Golden Globe Awards January 6, 2019 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Lucas Hedges Nominated [27]
Best Original Song "Revelation" – Leland, Troye Sivan and Jónsi Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 14, 2018 Best Original Song – Feature Film "Revelation" – Leland, Troye Sivan and Jónsi Nominated [28]
Humanitas Prize February 8, 2019 Drama Feature Film Boy Erased Nominated [29]
Mill Valley Film Festival October 3–13, 2018 Audience Award – US Cinema Boy Erased Runner-up [30]
San Diego International Film Festival October 10–14, 2018 Audience Award Boy Erased Won [31]
Satellite Awards February 17, 2019 Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Lucas Hedges Nominated [32]
Best Original Song "Revelation" – Leland, Troye Sivan and Jónsi Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Russell Crowe Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nicole Kidman Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards May 4, 2019 Outstanding Film – Limited Release Boy Erased Won [33]

Notes

  1. ^ a b In the film, Conley's character is named Jared Eamons. The names of other characters based on real-life people have similarly been changed throughout the film.

References

  1. ^ Levy, Emanuel (November 21, 2018). "Nicole Kidman: 'My children were shocked, particularly with the way I looked'". Financial Times. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Boy Erased (2018)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 8, 2017). "Joel Edgerton To Direct, Lucas Hedges To Star In Gay Deprogram Drama 'Boy Erased'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 21, 2017). "Focus Lands Joel Edgerton's 'Boy Erased'; Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (June 21, 2017). "Focus Features Buys Joel Edgerton's Drama 'Boy Erased'". Variety. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 30, 2017). "Cherry Jones, Michael "Flea" Balzary Join Joel Edgerton's 'Boy Erased'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (September 8, 2017). "Camille Guaty Joins 'Nappily Ever After'; 'Boy Erased' Adds Madelyn Cline; Mark O'Brien Cast In 'How It Ends'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 8, 2017). "'Billy Lynn' Star Joe Alwyn Joins Russell Crowe in 'Boy Erased,' Oscar Isaac in 'Operation Finale' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  9. ^ "Joe Alwyn Joins the Cast of Joel Edgerton's Boy Erased". ComingSoon.net. September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  10. ^ Kilday, Gregg (June 21, 2017). "Joel Edgerton to Write, Produce Coming-Out Drama 'Boy Erased'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ P.King, Kevin (April 24, 2018). "CL Casting BOY ERASED RESHOOT Seeking a few boys ages 18–35 Any Ethnicity Seeking people with cars 2004 or older". The Southern Casting Call. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "Nicole Kidman's "Boy Erased" Casting Re-Shoots". 2018castingcalls.com. April 20, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  13. ^ Caldwell, Mary (April 25, 2018). "Now casting: Nicole Kidman film seeking men, older cars". AJC.com. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  14. ^ Tapley, Kristopher (August 30, 2018). "'First Man,' 'Front Runner' and 'Roma' Among 2018 Telluride Film Festival Selections". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  15. ^ "Telluride Film Festival Program Guide" (PDF). Telluride Film Festival. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "Boy Erased". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  17. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 27, 2017). "'Mary, Queen Of Scots', 'Boy Erased' & 'The Little Stranger': Focus Features Dates Trio For Next Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 2, 2018). "Focus Features Changes Dates For 'Boy Erased' & 'On The Basis Of Sex' In The Fall-Holiday Window". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Brooks, Brian (November 4, 2018). "'Boy Erased' With Robust Bow; 'A Private War' Aims OK: Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  20. ^ "Boy Erased (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  21. ^ "Boy Erased Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Casting Society of America Atrios Awards Nominations: Full List". The Hollywood Reporter. January 2019.
  23. ^ "AACTA AWARDS WINNERS & NOMINEES". AFI. September 2018.
  24. ^ "Boy Erased Directors' Debuts Competition". Camerimage International Film Festival. November 2018.
  25. ^ "2018 Awards". IMDb. October 2018.
  26. ^ "'The Favourite' Nabs 14 Nominations from the Critics' Choice Awards, Followed by 'Black Panther'". IndieWire. December 2018.
  27. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 76th Golden Globes". goldenglobes.com. HFPA. December 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "Complete list of 2018 HMMA Music In Visual Media Nominations". HMMA. October 2018.
  29. ^ "'Black Panther,' 'Boy Erased' and More Announced as 2019 Humanitas Prize Finalists". The Hollywood Reporter. November 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "MVFF41 Overall Audience Favorite". The California Film Institute. October 2018.
  31. ^ "San Diego Intl Film Festival on Instagram: “AUDIENCE CHOICE BEST STUDIO PREMIERE Boy Erased @boyerased @nicolekidman @russellcrowe @joeledgerton @xavierdolan”". Instagram. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  32. ^ "2018 Nominees". International Press Academy. November 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  33. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (May 4, 2019). "GLAAD Media Awards: 'Boy Erased,' 'Pose,' 'Gianni Versace' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
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