Make no mistake about it... Award season is coming! And yet again, Focus Features is the studio delivering the goods. Boy Erased boasts and incredible cast - Nicole Kidman, Russel Crowe, and Joel Edgerton, who also directs the film - but I'm not certain how I feel about Lucas Hedges as the lead... He's yet to really catch my attention, and he failed to do so in this trailer as well. In fact, his performance looks and feels a little lifeless. Now, that may be the point, and we're just not connecting with it because we're experiencing this out of context. As a gay man, I can say, coming to terms with being gay - especially if you're from a southern, religious family - is not easy. Hearing that the gay lifestyle is an abomination, disgusting, wrong, evil, etc on a daily basis can make you feel quite lifeless. So, we'll have to see. I think there's a chance this movie could be good and do quite a bit of good, but that's really going to depend on how this movie ends. Discussing conversion therapy is a worthwhile conversation and the timing is perfect... But this trailer almost appears to reveal too much and hints at a happy ending. If Boy Erased is here to make a statement, I don't believe a happy ending is the way to go. Not only would it be too cliche, but with recent films such as Moonlight, Call Me By Your Name, and God's Own Country preceding this one, I'm not certain it will manage to stand out.
What are your thoughts on the trailer? Sound off in the comments below!