It shouldn’t be a surprise that Timothee Chalamet has managed to work up Oscar buzz for the second year, consecutively, with his newest film Beautiful Boy, written and directed by Felix Van Groeningen. This title is the perfect set up for a remarkable and devastating performance for a strong actor such as Chalamet. Beautiful Boy, based upon the bestselling memoirs of Nic and David Sheff, details Nic Sheff, a young man addicted to methamphetamines, and his struggling, and oftentimes heartbreaking, relationship with his father, David Sheff.

The film keeps the viewer guessing in its non-linear storytelling style. Right from the beginning, the viewer is captivated by David Sheff, portrayed by Steve Carell, researching methamphetamines, and admitting that his son is an addict. From that moment, Groeningen has the full and undivided attention of the audience. Though details should be spared to give an incentive to see the film, it should be noted that Nic’s entire life is outlined, sparing no details, including his chilling accounts of living on the streets.

The acting in the film is remarkable, and shouldn’t go unnoticed. Despite the lack of extensive costume and something to hide behind, Chalamet and Carrell still manage to be completely transported into the bleak, depressing, and oftentimes hopeless lives of the broken family. There is no remnant of Carrell’s comedic Michael Scott. Indeed, he has shed his veil of comedy and completely exposed his raw acting skills for this role. Every move and decision Carrell makes brings the viewer to tears. The whole audience feels his pain and guilt for “putting” his son in his current position.

As for Chalamet, the 24 year old should be very pleased with himself. Even trying to play the role of a drug addict seems taxing. It entails finding emotions from the caverns of the mind that most couldn’t find after years of trying. Chalamet adds in minute actions and “isms” that add to the character’s realistic pain and suffering. He’ll play with the material of his shirt or fidget with his hands, all real life actions people take for granted. Chalamet had to find the courage to mimic someone pouring their heart out, as Nic Sheff did in his memoir. The combined small actions and overall taxing requirements of this role should in themselves give Chalamet a trophy this year.

The screenplay and directing were both done tastefully. It’s safe to say that filming in a pretentious, new, and groundbreaking way would have mocked the real and authentic content of the film. With that, Groenigen manages to make a sophisticated film that didn’t take away from the content itself. There were many wide shots which were used metaphorically to show how far apart the father and son were. Although the screenplay stays very honest, there are some difficulties. For one, there is a gap between Nic’s younger years and his adulthood. His adolescence feels like a key factor that was neglected. Additionally, the non-linear technique was difficult to follow, at times. Otherwise, the script set the stage for a quality movie.

All things considered, Beautiful Boy was a truly fantastic movie. Though sad and thereby challenging to endure at times, it delivers a sense of thankfulness. Despite everything, every person is alive and that matters.