“I love you; but we can not see a way that you can live under this roof, if you’re going to fundamentally go against the grain of our beliefs.”
Meet Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges), the son of an Arkansas Baptist preacher, who is forced to come out to his parents after a horrific incident at college. His straight-laced Christian parents Marshall (Russell Crowe) and Nancy (Nicole Kidman) seek guidance from the church elders who suggest conversion therapy. If he can suppress the immoral thoughts of his sexuality, then all will be right in the world. Jared a 19-year old boy who has not come to grips with his own truth is given an ultimatum: Convert or be excommunicated from his family.
Boy Erased is based on a true story of one man’s fight to live his truth. Adapted from the 2016 memoir by Garred Conley’s of his experience attending a gay conversion camp. Crowe and Kidman NAILED it as the quintessential down south Bible thumping family. Marshall owns a car dealership, loves his wife, and son devoutly, and loves his religion wholeheartedly. Nancy is a loving mother and wife who pretty much goes with whatever Marshall says. Nancy loves Jared and wants what’s best for him. Jared and Nancy relocate so Jared can attend Love in Action for “counseling” with Mr. Sykes (Joel Edgerton) the director of the camp. Like any mother, Nancy knows something isn’t right, but love of religion and being a dutiful wife keeps her from doing anything to rock the boat.
The struggle of Christianity, conflict, conversion, and confidence through each character’s journey showed such a range of depth and emotion through each actor. Jared struggles to understand what is happening at the camp and finally breaks down. Leave it Nancy to come through as only a mother can. Through this story of self-discovery and growth Marshall and Jared’s relationship is estranged. He finds confidence and writing abilities lead him to New York where he is able to live out-loud and find his smile again.
This story takes the viewer on an emotional ride from laughing, crying, shock, and awe. Watch for Lucas Hedges he has a bright acting career ahead of him.