Beau Is Afraid (2023)
7.026 /10
348 Reviews
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A paranoid man embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Beau Wassermann
... Mona Wassermann
... Grace
... Elaine Bray
... Roger
User reviews
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-ari-asters-beau-is-afraid-warrants-the-love-hate-reception/
“Beau Is Afraid is by far Ari Aster's most complex, inaccessible film to date, although guilt, extreme anxiety, and a complicated mother-son relationship are clear themes deeply explored throughout five sections - the second is one of the most mesmerizing, visually stunning sequences of the year. The more I think about what I watched, the more I admire the unique, thought-provoking, overwhelmingly surreal storytelling by one of the most authentic voices working today.
That said, the three-hour runtime feels really heavy, the analysis of the movie as a whole raises some issues, and while all the technical departments are award-worthy, stating "it's not for everyone" is a perfect description of one of the most divisive films you'll see for a while.”
Rating: B-
Reviews of
Beau Is Afraid
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-ari-asters-beau-is-afraid-warrants-the-love-hate-reception/
“Beau Is Afraid is by far Ari Aster's most complex, inaccessible film to date, although guilt, extreme anxiety, and a complicated mother-son relationship are clear themes deeply explored throughout five sections - the second is one of the most mesmerizing, visually stunning sequences of the year. The more I think about what I watched, the more I admire the unique, thought-provoking, overwhelmingly surreal storytelling by one of the most authentic voices working today.
That said, the three-hour runtime feels really heavy, the analysis of the movie as a whole raises some issues, and while all the technical departments are award-worthy, stating "it's not for everyone" is a perfect description of one of the most divisive films you'll see for a while.”
Rating: B-
Beau is Afraid certainly boasts an incredibly rich and intricate narrative, filled with a plethora of allegories, symbolisms, and thematic elements. However, one may question whether the complexity of the film is worth sacrificing entertainment value. In attempting to weave together these complex themes, Ari Aster has created a narrative that was very difficult for me to fully process.
During the first hour of the movie, I found myself engrossed in the story, with tense scenes that blurred the lines between what is real and what is fake. However, as the film progressed, these surreal scenes became increasingly wild and disjointed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative. I found myself constantly asking questions about what was happening, how we got there, and why things were unfolding the way they were. This detachment ultimately detracted from my overall enjoyment of the film.
At three hours in length, Beau is Afraid can be a daunting task for audiences to undertake. While a well-paced film can fly by (Avatar: The Way of Water and Babylon for instance), this one felt like a slog at times, and I found myself frequently checking the clock to see how much time was left. However, despite these shortcomings, the technical execution of the film was truly exceptional. Aster's direction was brilliant, with stunning camera work and beautiful cinematography. The acting was also top-notch, with Joaquin Phoenix delivering what was arguably the best performance of the year so far. The supporting cast, including Amy Ryan, Patti LuPone, and Nathan Lane, also gave standout performances.
All in all, Beau is Afraid was quite a letdown for me. While Aster undoubtedly has a brilliant mind and a talent for storytelling, this film may have suffered from a lack of restraint. Nonetheless, the technical prowess and stellar performances are certainly noteworthy and should not be overlooked.
Score: 41% ❌
Verdict: Poor
Right from the start we appreciate that "Beau" is going to have an hard time with life. Luckily we skip forwards forty years and find him living an almost siege existence in a lawless city where sirens and racket keep him awake for most of the night. It's after one such a lively night that he suddenly awakes realising that he must get to the airport to go and visit his wealthy mother. Suffice to say, events conspire and he doesn't quite make the trip... He calls to alert his mother only to get the UPS man on the phone standing over an headless corpse. His mother? Well he now has to make a journey - without a functioning credit card - in time for her funeral. What now ensue are a series of mildly entertaining but largely just too surreal escapades that marry fantasy and fiction on his trip. This is a very strong effort from Joaquin Phoenix as the gentle but almost permanently bamboozled "Beau". He gives himself fully to the part and engenders frustration and sympathy successfully as the story progresses - in fits and starts - towards it's conclusion. Nathan Lane chips in well - if completely over the top - too, as surgeon "Roger" and we save the best til last with a rather bizarre denouement that sees Patti LuPone (his mother, "Mona") in an whole new light. At times the writing can be witty but for me this is just way, way too long and episodic. It's as if Ari Aster had an accumulation of ideas for his character that he has, almost "Forrest Gump" style, stitched together in the hope that what emerges at the end has been enjoyable to watch. I'm not great at the outlandish. It's not that it needs a solid beginning, middle and end but somehow I prefer the plot to be rooted in something just a bit more tangible than this is. I am glad that I saw it in a cinema, but I can safely say I won't watch it again.
Cast & Crew of
Beau Is Afraid
Cast
... Beau Wassermann
... Mona Wassermann
... Grace
... Elaine Bray
... Roger
... Teen Beau
... Beau's Therapist
... Dr. Cohen
... Toni
... Jeeves
... Young Mona
... Teen Elaine
... Penelope
... Strange Man
... UPS Guy
... Liz
... Boy Beau
... Hero Beau's Wife
... Martha
... Birthday Boy Stab Man
... Ceiling Man
... Officer Johnson
... Cheapo Depot Cashier
... Man With Face Tattoos
... Orphan Chorus Member #2
... Costume Designer Orphan
... Comatose Junkie
... Rattled Businessman
... Crazy Man
... Laughing Man
... Crust Punk (Eye Gouger)
... Crust Punk (Eyes Gouged)
... Boat Boy
... Fraught Mother Looking for Boat Boy
... Angel / Narrator
... Orphan Hero
... Beau’s Son
... Beau’s Son
... Beau’s Son
... Hero Beau's Young Son
... Hero Beau's Young Son
... Hero Beau's Young Son
... Orphan Ladybug Man
... Orphan Man w/Mandolin
... Orphan Chorus Member
... Orphan Chorus Member
... Samanda
... Duncan / God on Cloud / Hero Beau’s Wife
... Yesekov's Body
... Orphan Production Designer
... Orphan Papa Boy
... News Correspondent (Brian Galloway)
... Superintendent / Catering Manager
... Teen Elaine's Mother
... Nurse
... News Anchor (BB Stab Man)
... News Anchor (MW Obit)
... Rabbi
... Hearse Driver
... Caterer
... Mona Henchman Who Throws Lawyer
... Elaine Body Double
... Beau's Twin in Attic
... Mourning Woman
... Dancer (uncredited)
Crew
... Executive Producer
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Production Sound Mixer
... Thanks
... Makeup Department Head
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Producer
... In Memory Of
... Production Manager
... Director
... Producer
... Writer
... Production Design
... Costume Design
... Co-Producer
... Art Direction
... Script Supervisor
... Supervising Art Director
... Set Designer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Art Direction
... Gaffer
... Storyboard Artist
... Executive Producer
... Dialogue Editor
... Executive Producer
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Makeup Department Head
... Hair Designer
... Original Music Composer
... Animation
... Animation
... Stunt Coordinator
... Steadicam Operator
... "A" Camera Operator
... Makeup Artist
... VFX Supervisor
... Boom Operator
... Director of Photography
... Casting
... Foley Supervisor
... Art Direction
... Prosthetic Designer
... Second Assistant Director
... Editor
... Stunts
... Dolly Grip
... Third Assistant Director
... Additional Photography
... Stunts
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... In Memory Of
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... First Assistant Director
... ADR Recordist
... Key Grip
... Executive Producer
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... VFX Artist
... Co-Producer
... Stunt Driver
... Set Designer
... Executive Producer
... ADR Recordist
... Color Assistant
... VFX Production Coordinator
... Assistant Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Casting
... Assistant Art Director
... Graphic Designer
... Location Manager
... Set Designer
... Set Designer
... Sound Assistant
... Key Costumer
... Second Assistant Camera
... VFX Artist
... Set Designer
... Art Direction
... Assistant Art Director
... Assistant Art Director
... Makeup Artist
... Sound Recordist
... ADR Recordist
... ADR Recordist
... Hairstylist
... Assistant Set Decoration
... Casting Associate
Videos & Photos of
Beau Is Afraid
Videos (2)
Official Trailer 2
1: 31
Official Trailer
1: 31
Photos 34
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