«Boy Erased» and sexual reorientation

Cinema Wednesdays - Loris S. Musumeci

«The devil will tempt you continually.» 

Jared Eamons is wise and devout. A true American boy who works hard at school, obeys his parents with whom he talks a lot, helps out at his dad's Ford garage, and never misses a Sunday at church. The father's a pastor, so it's normal. Jared has friends who are good guys, and he even has a girlfriend. When he leaves home to study at university, he discovers - or admits to - a penchant for boys; increasingly imposing. Circumstances dictate that his parents are notified by the university. Unacceptable. The young man has to be corrected, put back on the right track. Fortunately, the Love in Action Institute specializes in sexual reorientation. Even if it means using somewhat dubious methods. Jared's story is a true one.

True story, story of suffering, story of intolerance and discrimination, so touching? Not really. Indeed, anyone who hears that a young person is harassed because he's gay can't remain indifferent. Yes, your heart aches for him, you tell yourself that he must be going through an ordeal in his puritanical family, and that it's all unfair. But that's not enough to make a film, or at least a good one. Apart from the film's poster, which is very well done, there's nothing in the photography that catches the eye. Not even the light through the church windows, or the camera movements, or the rhythm. 

Although it must be said that the shots have at least one constant: that of playing with the isolation of Jared and the other homosexuals in therapy. The screenplay doesn't manage to convince either: too many flashbacks in time, which undoubtedly launch the protagonist but only moderately the audience. The characters lack nuance; a pity, because the desire to give them nuance is there, and you can feel it. Despite this shortcoming, Jared's character is the best embodied. The actor gives his all to reveal the malaise of his character. What's more, he manages to play his submission to his parents brilliantly. And frankly, it's a pleasure. Because even if the film isn't very good, it at least offers a testimony.

As far as Garrad Conley's true story is concerned, there's no doubting its interest. It provides information about the existence of this kind of center, and the practices that go on there. For that reason alone, Boy Erased is well worth the effort. In fact, a subject like this could have won Oscars if it had been shot with much more skill. And I think Joel Edgerton, director and actor, has it in spades. He's just starting out behind the camera. Let him make his own, or let him stay an actor. It's up to him. In any case, in addition to the choice of subject, we must recognize his talent for dealing with homosexuality without any sex scenes - with the exception of one, which is quite particular and discreet. Commendable! Not in the name of an outdated propriety, but rather of a modesty that refrains from voyeurism, and shows that Jared doesn't make it his main concern. He just wants to be accepted as he is.

«I'm gay, and I'm your son.»

Write to the author: loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Universal Pictures