I thought the animated/stage sequence actually DID fit in with the "mommy issues" theme of the film. The story being told was all about the things he could have had or could start have if he wasn't riddled with the anxieties his mother passed down. I do think it went on a little long, but I think the reason that sequence doesnt connect all that much is that at that point in the film we still aren't sure what the big idea was just yet.
(SPOILERS) I think the fantasy/animated sequence doesn't necessarily deviate from the core theme of the movie. I think Beau's self insertion in this fantasy life where he finally takes a decision to do something for himself and ends up with a family of his own is a projection of his deepest desire to perpetuate himself through the creation of a family of his own, a desire that has been ripped apart by the lies and manipulation of his mother, as we learn by the end that he never had such heart disease. I thought it was brilliant, really.
I’ll definitely try to see this in the theatre. Perfect movies are hard to come by, and we need to support original films that aren’t afraid to take a chance. If it ain’t perfect, at least it can spur a discussion.
I'm a HUGE fan of Ari Aster, I've seen Hereditary and Midsommar multiple times. I believe him and Robert Eggers ( the VVitch, the lighthouse, etc) are two of the most exciting directors working in horror. I also love Joaquin Phoenix so I'm beyond hyped! I'm leaving this message before watching this video so I'm crossing my fingers! Lol
@Geekin' with James Hancock absolutely! I'm a nerd for A24 but with those guys I'm obsessed. I love both of their first 2 movies and I think they get even better on the second watch. Now when I saw the Northman in the theater I really liked it, then I saw it for a second time about five days later and loved it!
I'm so envious that you saw this!!! I just looked up times to see if there was an early screening in my area. I won't watch the review until after I see it!
Gosh the ending made total sense to me. I definitely think you will pick up on why with a second viewing. I also think having read the original script helped, in particular the ending, which although different from the script, leads you to the same place.
Going back to his appearance on Letterman as the Unabomber, Joaquin Phoenix struck me as an actor’s actor. After this film, can we coin the phrase: Having a Joaquin Phoenix moment? 😂
I simply love the way you breakdown the visual media, that you’ve had an opportunity to process. I also, like how you share your thoughts 💭 and references . Your wording is superb! 🎉
I thought the ending makes a perfect sense, or was it just me? Beau is afraid needs multiple viewing. It’s best described as 3 hours of full anxiety so take that as a warning for people who are already having anxiety issue just because Joaquin is so believable as an actor. He totally deserves the best actor for Oscar nomination for his role here.
My interpretation of the ending WAS this review (and many like it to come now that it’s been distributed more heavily this weekend). The coliseum wherein Beau (and the film) is judged looked much like a movie theater, the dim lighting and the stadium seating and the EXIT signs. Richard Kind’s lawyer was taking Beau apart morally. One guy hollers a retort about Beau’s fear being the reason he’s a “bad son,” and said critic plunges face first into the rocks a la Midsommar. When the boat capsizes and the credits roll, the theater audience and the coliseum audience slowly get up and file out in a mirroring fashion. It’s as though the third act is a self-aware critique of the first two, and we are welcome to be the critics (at our own peril). The haters got the megaphone and the spotlight. The more empathetic were thrown overboard and had their faces squashed into oblivion. It wasn’t just a critique of this film but of how much of society conducts discourse. No matter what side of a sociopolitical aisle one sits, how many times have we seen articles or videos with titles like this: Libtard Owned by Conservative Logic or Transphobe Crushed by College Professor, etc. We’re likely to watch the video or read the article that confirms what we already believe, what makes us more comfortable to see, and this movie seemed to realize that. A reviewer could easily start his review of the final segment with: Lawyer Dismantles Ungrateful, Loafer Son and Brings Receipts. And like the aforementioned news articles, videos, etc., the lawyer does, indeed, bring receipts…but not context. Beau is Afraid can be more than the title of a movie but also the reasoning for his crippling anxiety, depression, and paranoia. He’s been told terrible things his whole life by a mother who seemed a little too comfortable with pushing Munchausen Syndrome on her son (I noticed her walls adorned not by school pictures of young Beau but advertisements for psych meds). Both his inability to visit his mother (whether by illness or choice) and his fear of the world around him are largely contributions from her. She thought he should be grateful for the sacrifices she made to become rich and powerful, while utilizing their vacation time to lie in the same bed with her pubescent son and sort of luridly discussing the hereditary (well-played, Aster) ills of ejaculation among the men in their family and yet STILL trying to teach her son to seduce young Elaine. Kind of sending some disturbing mixed messages all around.
@@brodyschum well said! In the world that’s so imperfect, this movie is so perfect. This movie is not afraid of criticism, judgement and whatever audience reaction giving it, because it is already done criticism, judgement and reaction onto itself.
@@k.vn.k Bingo! I want to say that I hope others realize this, but I wonder if I really do. I’d like the movie to succeed, but I’ll also enjoy the debate/discourse with others for what will likely be years to come. What Kubrick did with The Shining, Ari Aster has done with Beau is Afraid.
@@brodyschum This is the right ending for Beau, whose plea for help was totally being ignored with silent, nobody seems to care, everyone sees him as an object and worse still - judging. Him, alone on the sinking boat, knowing that at anytime he would die, helpless, then when it did, we the audience stare in shock, wondering why. The exact same question we should ask in today society. There are people who need and ask for help, but instead we judge them, then just watch them drowning and died.
Saw it in the same theater (and had my own Beau like odyssey trying to get their on time with subway issues). Loved it! Surprised you didn't like Patti LuPone. I thought she was fantastic. Parker Posey and Bill Hader got the biggest laughs in my crowd!
I couldn’t agree more. This is a movie that definitely requires a few viewings before fully understanding it but my first impression is that this was a brilliant representation of the psychological impact that a parent can have on his/her child. I also believe that everything that we see on screen is from the perspective of Beau. We know he’s an unreliable narrator based on the very first scene where he’s talking to his therapist. From the dangers on the street that he lived in up until the trial at the end, with a few exceptions, is all a metaphor for his mental decay caused by the guilt, pain and fear inflicted on him by his mother and the finial scene is just him losing the internal argument and accepting the punishment which essentially means him taking his own life. Although I think this movie could be shorter, Aster definitely didn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to rewatch this movie and talk about it with anyone who’s willing to listen lol. For me this was a solid 8/10.
As a broader statement, Ari acknowledges through Beau the reverberating impact Oz had on Kubrick's filmography. From gestures to Greenaway/Lynch, its many monoliths, low hanging circles (notably the backyard brick circle) diamonds, rainbows, rotating pentagrams - stunning, 10/10 for me. Even introduces a new motif - 4 elephants probably representing the Hindu World Elephants. Funny bc Ari tells a reporter it's a Jewish odyssey.
2nd comment, I wanted to add that I am very surprised they released it the same weekend as the new Evil Dead! I don't think it's going to do too well at the box office due to the Evil Dead competition plus how "weird" the trailer is. All us cinephiles will show up but I don't think there's going to be too much of a general audience for it
Seeing Evil Dead Rise on Tuesday. I'm a but of purist when it comes to the original trilogy but I'm just enjoying having so many options in the theater these days. Competition is getting ferocious.
@Geekin' with James Hancock absolutely, me too! I'm seeing the new Evil Dead Thursday evening and a new Ari Aster movie on Sunday! That's a great weekend in my book. LOL
As mentioned... I also really dug Welcome to The Doll House and Happiness. I've watched some interview/discussions from Todd Solondz and he was saying, every movie' he's made has lost the studios money and from Welcome to the Doll House on each movie has done a little worse than the one before. I watched his latest Wiener-Dog and it was decent... just as described here in reference to Beau is Afraid it was a mixed bag. In reference to Happiness.... American Beauty which I also really enjoyed felt almost like a bigger budgeted, higher production value adaptation of Happiness. I'm curious if Alan Ball was inspired by Happiness, but based on the time frame they probably were filming American Beauty when Happiness was released.
I've seen all of this flicks and remain a fan. I wish he could get one more turn at bat, but I get that it's tough to make the case for cutting him a check for his productions.
I think my biggest problem is not knowing what's real or not, but at the same time I think I understand that it doesn't matter what's real, because to beau everything is real.
1-10 no 7, it’s an 8. Great, but weird. Could definitely have been shorter, like you said. Reminds me of Scorcesse’s After Hours but not done nearly as well.
Very excited for this movie. Ari Aster needs this to be good. I love his indulgence & flair but that can head into Ryan Murphy territory real quick if not checked...
I think he unfortunately achieved that with this movie. This is what happens when a young talented director achieves big success and develops an auteur complex. I think the same happened to Jordan Peele.
Just saw this movie & it was something to say the least. Not sure I would call it a great movie but appreciate the originality & effort especially with the current crop of remakes/reboot, sequels, or the same stuff we always see.
Intriguing stuff James. It looks like a daring movie and the trailer shows some stylized imagery that feels like a very off, off, really off Broadway play that reminds me of the ending of Charlie Kaufman's "I’m Thinking of Ending Things" which I think was also polarizing for audiences (I dug it). I like odd movies even if they are kinda bad. I didn't think that Midsommar was odd or surprising. It was horrific but not a shape shifter like Hereditary which really fucked with my head. Midsommar was frustrating, boring to me and I didn't care about the characters enough (any of them). I will have to see "Beau Is Afraid", if only to support Stephen McKinley Henderson who NEVER disappoints.
I'm really surprised you thought the older mother actress was a low point. I thought her acting and the final scene was one of the highlights of the movie!
I am in love with Ari Aster's previous films but yeah this was quite intense. I did find the entire thing very relatable though as someone with anxiety who has dealt with generational trauma, intense family dynamics and abuse. I loved the trippy animation scene in the middle but yeah I think that didn't really feel linked to the rest of the movie. The attic scene literally made me howl though, I really need answers about that. I also do understand feeling pissed off at the ending, I kind of was too from the attic scene onwards he kind of lost me. But I'm still processing it all and i'm also very torn.
Beau is Afraid is an arthouse peace and it will gather a huge cult indy following i am quite sure. The 3 hours flew by as the creativity to watch in this movie was so incredible. I can't wait what Ari is doing next.
James, I have a unrelated question, since you're a fellow New Yorker. I haven't been to the Lincoln 68th Street Imax room in years. ("Batman Begins" I think) I'm a big guy and the seats for that theater were fairly cramped, and bunched up. So, as a big guy (6 ft 4") I was wedged in there like a sardine. As great as the screen was, it was uncomfortable for me so I didn't go back. Is it true that they refurbished the seating? They describe it as comfortable rocking seats on the website and other placesonline, which I know the old ones were not. Do you happen to know if the seating is newer and better than it was years ago? I'm a bog ARi Aster fan btw, and would love to see this movie on a giant screen. I'd just love that experience again!
I took my wife to this for our date night. I loved it but my wife hated it, and now I’m in the doghouse. She says she gets to pick the next several movies without my veto. I’m scarred I’ll have to watch Ticket to Paradise now. I also thought Phoenix did his "bumbling scarred guy" schtick a little too much also - if he had dialed it back like 20-30% it would have been about right for me. Overall I absolutely loved it, though.
Thank you so much for your opinion, I feel like I need to see it multiple times to fully understand or have an opinion. The ending was my main issue, i need more rewatches.
I'm wondering if you do say it fumbles the audience at the end that it might have been changed to get a reaction cause of the script leak before the movie was announced. I haven't read the script but this movie was labelled as "Disappointmenr Blvd" while in production so that it had no association with the leak. Can't add to that anymore but I'm excited to see it this Tuesday with Mr. Aster in attendance.
Spending 3 hours with an insufferable human being is something my husband and I avoid in real life. A cold drink and large popcorn won't make the encounter any better at the movie theater. What is it lately with movies, including streaming services, where insufferably eccentric characters populate convoluted nihilistic plot-lines, trying to hold our attention with people in desperate need of therapy and a regimen of prescription drugs? ... Many of these outings the epitome of self-indulgent, pretentious clap-trap. We get inundated with yawning, super-hero franchise films, drowning in CGI, or what amounts the art house obsession with mental anguish films, for those who like their celluloid depression laid on with a trowel. Film-going has become such a bi-polar experience, we might just need therapy to recover. Frankly, if "Beau Is Afraid," I don't much care. It's all pretend. And in this case ... pretend absurdity. We'll pass.
That’s exactly my problem. Joaquin have “ crazy eyes / sanpaku eyes “ . The kind Schizophrenic people have. Tolerating that for 3 hours is too much for me . I watched Joker. Is a great movie . But I was so anxious because of his eyes . I had to leave as soon credits started. I’m the kind who stay until the end of credits .
This perfectly summarized this film for me. I loved the bonkers first act in the urban hellscape. Ari Aster could have made an excellent film with just this environment in the first act by keeping the plot (if any) minimalist / non-convoluted, make it 2 hours, just stopped with the mommy issues and stuck to a survivalist story. The long journey to see his mom just wasn’t interesting to me. As the movie dragged on I just found it increasingly overcooked. One of the aspects of Midsommar I loved was that it was all in one small commune and it was always daylight. Beau is Afraid on the other hand tries to do everything - it tries to be The Odyssey from multiple vantages. I absolutely hated the ending by the way. It felt like Aster gave the middle finger to the audience after a grueling 3 hours.
I loved the final shot of the movie, but I did leave pissed like you...until I thought about it the whole next morning and I am desperate to watch it again. I rate it higher than Midsommar, but lower than Hereditary.
I just really felt pulled along with this thing from the first minute. Weirdly I also really loved Punch Drunk Love. If an American director at the point of breaking through, makes the film they really want to make, they'll always be seen as a provocateur. I loved it and immediately wanted a second viewing.
It's a thoughtful movie. "Bloated" is just a silly critique to me because each portion of the movie was telling a story. The fact that your favorite part was the beginning proves that point, because my favorite was the forest scene, but I liked them all because each showed off truly excellent themes
I loved the bonkers first act in the urban hellscape. Ari Aster could have made an excellent film with just this environment in the first act by keeping the plot (if any) minimalist / non-convoluted, make it 2 hours, just stopped with the mommy issues and stuck to a survivalist story. The long journey to see his mom just wasn’t interesting to me. As the movie dragged on I just found it increasingly overcooked. One of the aspects of Midsommar I loved was that it was all in one small commune and it was always daylight. Beau is Afraid on the other hand tries to do everything - it tries to be The Odyssey from multiple vantages. I absolutely hated the ending by the way. It felt like Aster gave the middle finger to the audience after a grueling 3 hours.
Thats pretty much how I felt, and its definitely going to divide the audience even the A24 fans. I enjoyed the animated sequence, I thought it was a nice segment to catch your breath. Though I agree that its too long.
I didnt hate it, i can appreciate the thought behind it. I'm not out telling my friends they must watch it though. Sometimes artistic approaches like this can come off a little too try hard to do exactly that.
Since I bought it for home I’ve seen it a couple times with friends and the more I’ve seen it the more I feel like it is a movie that is not gonna have it’s hayday for a couple years and it’s gonna be looked back on as a masterpiece for movie nerds and personally I just love the fuckin movie so ballsy and crazy it won me over
I truly wish I could have enjoyed this film. Previously I have been astounded by Ari Aster as a director. But, this film I did not care for that much. I found a character above very annoying. I had zero empathy with him and thought he was a phenomenal loser. I didn’t wanna feel that way, I just did
Actually I loved this movie. Kept my attention going for the full time. Just as he wanted it to and well phoenix made the perfect lead as he has an uncanny ability to like him in his movies.
4 or 5 couples left halfway through the movie. So many parts of this movie were relatable lmaooo Mariah Carey always be my baby was mine and my ex’s song 😂
Just saw the film tonight. I loved the first hour and a half....the last two "acts" were very hard to get through. Visually stunning but that fourth act was just moronic. Hated everything about those segments ...ending included. It is a movie I love and hate...weird.
But doesn't it make sense that he behaves like hes in a fog right after he gets hit by a truck? Why would he be alert after suffering probable brain damage? 😅
I am so curious to what this us, what dose this say in a social commentary that subverts what exactly that audiences dislike but is something that isn't going to admit of what? Idk. I'm just curious.... I got mario movie, and this film want to watch. This might rub me hhe wrong way, I'm kinda.... bit scard or be shocked to whag it will reveal in this.
I saw this in New York this is the weirdest movie I seen in while. I was dumbfounded on what I just watched. this makes Nope abstractness look like a full story. he really jump off the clip with this
The opening means he was born with a chemical imbalance that caused his extreme chronic generalised anxiety disorder. His mother also had it but it’s high-functioning anxiety. It’s hereditary. His own fears and anxieties were amplified by his mother’s high-functioning anxiety, and that’s why he’s super dependent and afraid of her. The ending means Beau drowned in his anxieties and paranoia.
Spoilers to a degree. First off, I pretty much completely agree with this review. But I will add that I'm seeing it as much more of a red flag than most. It's reminding me a lot, of M. Night's potential vs execution. Beau Is Afraid is very very self indulgent. I think the director and the film think they're being way more clever than they actually are. I got the gist of what was being said about an hour in, and I must admit, I thought that first act was brilliant. But it ends up taking a nosedive with too many ideas and very loose structure. I've seen this same concept done before in the masterpiece that is Enter the Void.
Midsommer kinda felt anti-male....I'm not a Chad...I have a gf but, we are both pretty broke. We had to live in a car, on and off. I just don't feel real ppl that are not cops are assholes 100% of the time. When she wants to leave....I can't imagine wanting to stay. She's watching out for him....jeez I wish women made shit that easy for me. In my experience women won't even tell you when they want to break up, they just get more n more evasive.
Hereditary was absolutely fantastic and fresh. Midsommar was the worst piece of pretentious, bloated, boring, pointless and unwatchable piece of trash I have ever come across! It astonished me they are from the same film maker, that fact is surreal to me: it's like a diamond compared to a rotten turd. Hope this new one is good!
I might go back and watch the last 25 mins at some point, but I wouldn't bet on it. Three hours of gormless Bo with his gormless face and his gormless walk and I just couldn't care what happened or didn't happen to this shuffling berk.
@@geekinwithJamesHancock I saw it at Lincoln Square. Didn’t even need the IMAX screen for this type of film. To me, it feels like a film greenlit because it’s from the Director of Hereditary, and they’ll give him free reign to put any indulgence on the screen. And the audience has to suffer the consequences
@@geekinwithJamesHancock what was the deal in the attic? Beau's mom says th hat it's his father. The dude chained up, or the other thangy? If the latter, what's the representation?
I thought the animated/stage sequence actually DID fit in with the "mommy issues" theme of the film.
The story being told was all about the things he could have had or could start have if he wasn't riddled with the anxieties his mother passed down.
I do think it went on a little long, but I think the reason that sequence doesnt connect all that much is that at that point in the film we still aren't sure what the big idea was just yet.
(SPOILERS)
I think the fantasy/animated sequence doesn't necessarily deviate from the core theme of the movie. I think Beau's self insertion in this fantasy life where he finally takes a decision to do something for himself and ends up with a family of his own is a projection of his deepest desire to perpetuate himself through the creation of a family of his own, a desire that has been ripped apart by the lies and manipulation of his mother, as we learn by the end that he never had such heart disease. I thought it was brilliant, really.
I’ll definitely try to see this in the theatre. Perfect movies are hard to come by, and we need to support original films that aren’t afraid to take a chance. If it ain’t perfect, at least it can spur a discussion.
I'm a HUGE fan of Ari Aster, I've seen Hereditary and Midsommar multiple times. I believe him and Robert Eggers ( the VVitch, the lighthouse, etc) are two of the most exciting directors working in horror. I also love Joaquin Phoenix so I'm beyond hyped! I'm leaving this message before watching this video so I'm crossing my fingers! Lol
I'm right there with you. For me, Eggers and Aster are two of the most talented young directors working today. I'll watch anything that they make.
@Geekin' with James Hancock absolutely! I'm a nerd for A24 but with those guys I'm obsessed. I love both of their first 2 movies and I think they get even better on the second watch. Now when I saw the Northman in the theater I really liked it, then I saw it for a second time about five days later and loved it!
What is fun about beau is afraid is that they promote the movie via the mw brand with a lot of mysterious posts.
so, how was it? :)
@Nicola Gastaldi actually seeing it Sunday!!! Evil Dead Thursday, Beau is afraid on Sunday, pretty good weekend! Lol
You honestly may be my favorite media review UA-camr atm. Seem very authentic, knowledgeable, and apolitical in your analysis. Good work my guy.
The movie that will divide our nation
Or at least all the Criterion Collection fanatics out there.
Calm down, Sparky.
No, my dear friend, the entire Galaxy!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAaaa …😁
@elbowjuice
What makes you think that?
@@marjol3in i was exaggerating, but the movie is divisive
I'm so envious that you saw this!!! I just looked up times to see if there was an early screening in my area. I won't watch the review until after I see it!
Not sure how many theaters it is playing in this weekend but it is definitely going wide in a few days. Hope you enjoy!
Gosh the ending made total sense to me. I definitely think you will pick up on why with a second viewing. I also think having read the original script helped, in particular the ending, which although different from the script, leads you to the same place.
The script ending is VERY different from the theatrical release ending. But I agree that the ending is easily foreshadowed during the movie.
What did the ending mean?
@@bloodontoast8522 it was spelled out, not even foreshadowed lol. The play scene straight up told us it was going to happen
7:50 Damian Chazelle’s Babylon another clear example of this 30-something-director-given-free-rein phenomenon.
Going back to his appearance on Letterman as the Unabomber, Joaquin Phoenix struck me as an actor’s actor. After this film, can we coin the phrase: Having a Joaquin Phoenix moment? 😂
Beau is Afraid has to be the biggest risk, the biggest gamble ever.
MEN has just entered the chat
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I simply love the way you breakdown the visual media, that you’ve had an opportunity to process. I also, like how you share your thoughts 💭 and references . Your wording is superb! 🎉
Love the effort that goes into your thumbnails ❤
Ari Aster is in his mid-30s? What the fuck?!
You are far too kind, Pierre! Many thanks for the donation to my commentary endeavors!
I thought the ending makes a perfect sense, or was it just me? Beau is afraid needs multiple viewing. It’s best described as 3 hours of full anxiety so take that as a warning for people who are already having anxiety issue just because Joaquin is so believable as an actor. He totally deserves the best actor for Oscar nomination for his role here.
My interpretation of the ending WAS this review (and many like it to come now that it’s been distributed more heavily this weekend).
The coliseum wherein Beau (and the film) is judged looked much like a movie theater, the dim lighting and the stadium seating and the EXIT signs. Richard Kind’s lawyer was taking Beau apart morally. One guy hollers a retort about Beau’s fear being the reason he’s a “bad son,” and said critic plunges face first into the rocks a la Midsommar. When the boat capsizes and the credits roll, the theater audience and the coliseum audience slowly get up and file out in a mirroring fashion. It’s as though the third act is a self-aware critique of the first two, and we are welcome to be the critics (at our own peril). The haters got the megaphone and the spotlight. The more empathetic were thrown overboard and had their faces squashed into oblivion. It wasn’t just a critique of this film but of how much of society conducts discourse. No matter what side of a sociopolitical aisle one sits, how many times have we seen articles or videos with titles like this: Libtard Owned by Conservative Logic or Transphobe Crushed by College Professor, etc. We’re likely to watch the video or read the article that confirms what we already believe, what makes us more comfortable to see, and this movie seemed to realize that. A reviewer could easily start his review of the final segment with: Lawyer Dismantles Ungrateful, Loafer Son and Brings Receipts. And like the aforementioned news articles, videos, etc., the lawyer does, indeed, bring receipts…but not context. Beau is Afraid can be more than the title of a movie but also the reasoning for his crippling anxiety, depression, and paranoia. He’s been told terrible things his whole life by a mother who seemed a little too comfortable with pushing Munchausen Syndrome on her son (I noticed her walls adorned not by school pictures of young Beau but advertisements for psych meds). Both his inability to visit his mother (whether by illness or choice) and his fear of the world around him are largely contributions from her. She thought he should be grateful for the sacrifices she made to become rich and powerful, while utilizing their vacation time to lie in the same bed with her pubescent son and sort of luridly discussing the hereditary (well-played, Aster) ills of ejaculation among the men in their family and yet STILL trying to teach her son to seduce young Elaine. Kind of sending some disturbing mixed messages all around.
@@brodyschum well said! In the world that’s so imperfect, this movie is so perfect. This movie is not afraid of criticism, judgement and whatever audience reaction giving it, because it is already done criticism, judgement and reaction onto itself.
@@k.vn.k Bingo! I want to say that I hope others realize this, but I wonder if I really do. I’d like the movie to succeed, but I’ll also enjoy the debate/discourse with others for what will likely be years to come. What Kubrick did with The Shining, Ari Aster has done with Beau is Afraid.
@@brodyschum This is the right ending for Beau, whose plea for help was totally being ignored with silent, nobody seems to care, everyone sees him as an object and worse still - judging. Him, alone on the sinking boat, knowing that at anytime he would die, helpless, then when it did, we the audience stare in shock, wondering why. The exact same question we should ask in today society. There are people who need and ask for help, but instead we judge them, then just watch them drowning and died.
Saw it in the same theater (and had my own Beau like odyssey trying to get their on time with subway issues). Loved it! Surprised you didn't like Patti LuPone. I thought she was fantastic.
Parker Posey and Bill Hader got the biggest laughs in my crowd!
I couldn’t agree more. This is a movie that definitely requires a few viewings before fully understanding it but my first impression is that this was a brilliant representation of the psychological impact that a parent can have on his/her child. I also believe that everything that we see on screen is from the perspective of Beau. We know he’s an unreliable narrator based on the very first scene where he’s talking to his therapist. From the dangers on the street that he lived in up until the trial at the end, with a few exceptions, is all a metaphor for his mental decay caused by the guilt, pain and fear inflicted on him by his mother and the finial scene is just him losing the internal argument and accepting the punishment which essentially means him taking his own life. Although I think this movie could be shorter, Aster definitely didn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to rewatch this movie and talk about it with anyone who’s willing to listen lol. For me this was a solid 8/10.
Sounds like a solid analysis though I've not yet SEEN the film myself... I shall keep your thoughts in mind after viewing.
So it's like I'm thinking of ending things.
As a broader statement, Ari acknowledges through Beau the reverberating impact Oz had on Kubrick's filmography. From gestures to Greenaway/Lynch, its many monoliths, low hanging circles (notably the backyard brick circle) diamonds, rainbows, rotating pentagrams - stunning, 10/10 for me.
Even introduces a new motif - 4 elephants probably representing the Hindu World Elephants. Funny bc Ari tells a reporter it's a Jewish odyssey.
2nd comment, I wanted to add that I am very surprised they released it the same weekend as the new Evil Dead! I don't think it's going to do too well at the box office due to the Evil Dead competition plus how "weird" the trailer is. All us cinephiles will show up but I don't think there's going to be too much of a general audience for it
Seeing Evil Dead Rise on Tuesday. I'm a but of purist when it comes to the original trilogy but I'm just enjoying having so many options in the theater these days. Competition is getting ferocious.
@Geekin' with James Hancock absolutely, me too! I'm seeing the new Evil Dead Thursday evening and a new Ari Aster movie on Sunday! That's a great weekend in my book. LOL
I’m so jealous! This movie is not showing anywhere near me 😢. I have so wait until digital or blu ray, I guess.
Keep a lookout for next weekend when the movie goes into wide release.
As mentioned... I also really dug Welcome to The Doll House and Happiness. I've watched some interview/discussions from Todd Solondz and he was saying, every movie' he's made has lost the studios money and from Welcome to the Doll House on each movie has done a little worse than the one before. I watched his latest Wiener-Dog and it was decent... just as described here in reference to Beau is Afraid it was a mixed bag.
In reference to Happiness.... American Beauty which I also really enjoyed felt almost like a bigger budgeted, higher production value adaptation of Happiness. I'm curious if
Alan Ball was inspired by Happiness, but based on the time frame they probably were filming American Beauty when Happiness was released.
I've seen all of this flicks and remain a fan. I wish he could get one more turn at bat, but I get that it's tough to make the case for cutting him a check for his productions.
My slight worry is that Aster - horror = Todd Solondz and I'm not sure I want another one of those.
I think my biggest problem is not knowing what's real or not, but at the same time I think I understand that it doesn't matter what's real, because to beau everything is real.
1-10 no 7, it’s an 8. Great, but weird. Could definitely have been shorter, like you said.
Reminds me of Scorcesse’s After Hours but not done nearly as well.
Very excited for this movie. Ari Aster needs this to be good. I love his indulgence & flair but that can head into Ryan Murphy territory real quick if not checked...
Well this is arguably his most self-indulgent with a 3-hour running time. I'm anticipating a wide range of reactions.
I think he unfortunately achieved that with this movie. This is what happens when a young talented director achieves big success and develops an auteur complex. I think the same happened to Jordan Peele.
Just saw this movie & it was something to say the least. Not sure I would call it a great movie but appreciate the originality & effort especially with the current crop of remakes/reboot, sequels, or the same stuff we always see.
I would absolutely love to hear your take on Talk to me when that comes out. Do you plan on reviewing that one?
Intriguing stuff James. It looks like a daring movie and the trailer shows some stylized imagery that feels like a very off, off, really off Broadway play that reminds me of the ending of Charlie Kaufman's "I’m Thinking of Ending Things" which I think was also polarizing for audiences (I dug it). I like odd movies even if they are kinda bad. I didn't think that Midsommar was odd or surprising. It was horrific but not a shape shifter like Hereditary which really fucked with my head. Midsommar was frustrating, boring to me and I didn't care about the characters enough (any of them). I will have to see "Beau Is Afraid", if only to support Stephen McKinley Henderson who NEVER disappoints.
I'm really surprised you thought the older mother actress was a low point. I thought her acting and the final scene was one of the highlights of the movie!
I loved it! I want to see it again in theaters because there was so much to take in.
I am in love with Ari Aster's previous films but yeah this was quite intense. I did find the entire thing very relatable though as someone with anxiety who has dealt with generational trauma, intense family dynamics and abuse. I loved the trippy animation scene in the middle but yeah I think that didn't really feel linked to the rest of the movie. The attic scene literally made me howl though, I really need answers about that. I also do understand feeling pissed off at the ending, I kind of was too from the attic scene onwards he kind of lost me. But I'm still processing it all and i'm also very torn.
Beau is Afraid is an arthouse peace and it will gather a huge cult indy following i am quite sure. The 3 hours flew by as the creativity to watch in this movie was so incredible. I can't wait what Ari is doing next.
OH MY GOD YOU HAVE JOE ABERCROMBIE ON YOUR SHELF! That alone got you a subscribe from me! Great review as well!
James, I have a unrelated question, since you're a fellow New Yorker. I haven't been to the Lincoln 68th Street Imax room in years. ("Batman Begins" I think) I'm a big guy and the seats for that theater were fairly cramped, and bunched up. So, as a big guy (6 ft 4") I was wedged in there like a sardine. As great as the screen was, it was uncomfortable for me so I didn't go back. Is it true that they refurbished the seating? They describe it as comfortable rocking seats on the website and other placesonline, which I know the old ones were not. Do you happen to know if the seating is newer and better than it was years ago? I'm a bog ARi Aster fan btw, and would love to see this movie on a giant screen. I'd just love that experience again!
I took my wife to this for our date night. I loved it but my wife hated it, and now I’m in the doghouse. She says she gets to pick the next several movies without my veto. I’m scarred I’ll have to watch Ticket to Paradise now. I also thought Phoenix did his "bumbling scarred guy" schtick a little too much also - if he had dialed it back like 20-30% it would have been about right for me. Overall I absolutely loved it, though.
That sounds fair.
I just got out of a showing at the Alamo and I need to call and thank my mom for not being insane!
Better than Everything Everywhere
Thank you so much for your opinion, I feel like I need to see it multiple times to fully understand or have an opinion. The ending was my main issue, i need more rewatches.
Good luck
I'm wondering if you do say it fumbles the audience at the end that it might have been changed to get a reaction cause of the script leak before the movie was announced. I haven't read the script but this movie was labelled as "Disappointmenr Blvd" while in production so that it had no association with the leak. Can't add to that anymore but I'm excited to see it this Tuesday with Mr. Aster in attendance.
Seeing as how Aster/A24 decided on an April Fools Day premiere, maybe Ari is encouraging a more satirical interpretation.
Spending 3 hours with an insufferable human being is something my husband and I avoid in real life. A cold drink and large popcorn won't make the encounter any better at the movie theater. What is it lately with movies, including streaming services, where insufferably eccentric characters populate convoluted nihilistic plot-lines, trying to hold our attention with people in desperate need of therapy and a regimen of prescription drugs? ... Many of these outings the epitome of self-indulgent, pretentious clap-trap. We get inundated with yawning, super-hero franchise films, drowning in CGI, or what amounts the art house obsession with mental anguish films, for those who like their celluloid depression laid on with a trowel. Film-going has become such a bi-polar experience, we might just need therapy to recover. Frankly, if "Beau Is Afraid," I don't much care. It's all pretend. And in this case ... pretend absurdity. We'll pass.
That’s exactly my problem.
Joaquin have “ crazy eyes / sanpaku eyes “ . The kind Schizophrenic people have.
Tolerating that for 3 hours is too much for me . I watched Joker. Is a great movie . But I was so anxious because of his eyes . I had to leave as soon credits started. I’m the kind who stay until the end of credits .
This perfectly summarized this film for me. I loved the bonkers first act in the urban hellscape. Ari Aster could have made an excellent film with just this environment in the first act by keeping the plot (if any) minimalist / non-convoluted, make it 2 hours, just stopped with the mommy issues and stuck to a survivalist story. The long journey to see his mom just wasn’t interesting to me. As the movie dragged on I just found it increasingly overcooked. One of the aspects of Midsommar I loved was that it was all in one small commune and it was always daylight. Beau is Afraid on the other hand tries to do everything - it tries to be The Odyssey from multiple vantages. I absolutely hated the ending by the way. It felt like Aster gave the middle finger to the audience after a grueling 3 hours.
I loved the final shot of the movie, but I did leave pissed like you...until I thought about it the whole next morning and I am desperate to watch it again. I rate it higher than Midsommar, but lower than Hereditary.
Ari Aster ripped a bit from Polanski’s The Tenant and Albert Brooks Defending your life
The Tenant is a wildly underrated movie. Massive fan.
Hi James. I'm not gonna not watch this movie... as I loved his first two.... Thanks for your thoughts.
I just really felt pulled along with this thing from the first minute. Weirdly I also really loved Punch Drunk Love. If an American director at the point of breaking through, makes the film they really want to make, they'll always be seen as a provocateur. I loved it and immediately wanted a second viewing.
I dunno the ending really solidified it for me as this being a really great experience of cinema!
It's a thoughtful movie. "Bloated" is just a silly critique to me because each portion of the movie was telling a story. The fact that your favorite part was the beginning proves that point, because my favorite was the forest scene, but I liked them all because each showed off truly excellent themes
Have you seen the new show Beef from A24?
I've seen the first 3 episodes. Started watching yesterday. Another victory for A24.
When he sees the dude hanging in his ceiling while in the bathtub, I was like HOLY SHIT lmfao the most claustrophobic viewing experience of my life
I loved the bonkers first act in the urban hellscape. Ari Aster could have made an excellent film with just this environment in the first act by keeping the plot (if any) minimalist / non-convoluted, make it 2 hours, just stopped with the mommy issues and stuck to a survivalist story. The long journey to see his mom just wasn’t interesting to me. As the movie dragged on I just found it increasingly overcooked. One of the aspects of Midsommar I loved was that it was all in one small commune and it was always daylight. Beau is Afraid on the other hand tries to do everything - it tries to be The Odyssey from multiple vantages. I absolutely hated the ending by the way. It felt like Aster gave the middle finger to the audience after a grueling 3 hours.
This movie is absolutely bonkers. All over the place man. I don’t know what to think. It’s incredibly unique, but not sure I was feeling this one
Thats pretty much how I felt, and its definitely going to divide the audience even the A24 fans.
I enjoyed the animated sequence, I thought it was a nice segment to catch your breath.
Though I agree that its too long.
Aristotle told us that drama should be in three acts. _Beau is afraid_ has five. So does _The Last Jedi._ Both could have two acts cut.
I didnt hate it, i can appreciate the thought behind it. I'm not out telling my friends they must watch it though.
Sometimes artistic approaches like this can come off a little too try hard to do exactly that.
Since I bought it for home I’ve seen it a couple times with friends and the more I’ve seen it the more I feel like it is a movie that is not gonna have it’s hayday for a couple years and it’s gonna be looked back on as a masterpiece for movie nerds and personally I just love the fuckin movie so ballsy and crazy it won me over
Ari read too many Midsommar memes he decided to make his next movie a 3 hour long shitpost.
I truly wish I could have enjoyed this film. Previously I have been astounded by Ari Aster as a director. But, this film I did not care for that much. I found a character above very annoying. I had zero empathy with him and thought he was a phenomenal loser. I didn’t wanna feel that way, I just did
Actually I loved this movie. Kept my attention going for the full time. Just as he wanted it to and well phoenix made the perfect lead as he has an uncanny ability to like him in his movies.
4 or 5 couples left halfway through the movie. So many parts of this movie were relatable lmaooo Mariah Carey always be my baby was mine and my ex’s song 😂
I’ve seen this movie twice already. And I will say it’s a way better watch second time around. I caught so much that I missed in my first watch.
looking forward to second watch
So it sounds like they removed the whole cult part from the screen play!?!? That’s what held the entire thing together. Now I’m sad.
I heard originally were 4 hours .
Yeah the ending had me confused lol
Just saw the film tonight. I loved the first hour and a half....the last two "acts" were very hard to get through. Visually stunning but that fourth act was just moronic. Hated everything about those segments ...ending included. It is a movie I love and hate...weird.
Great review 😀😁👍🏿
Who's Ari Aster think he is? Andrzej Żuławski?
Zzzzzzz
But doesn't it make sense that he behaves like hes in a fog right after he gets hit by a truck? Why would he be alert after suffering probable brain damage? 😅
Unless your name is Kurosawa, DeMille, or Coppola, your should think twice before making a film 3 hours or more.
I am so curious to what this us, what dose this say in a social commentary that subverts what exactly that audiences dislike but is something that isn't going to admit of what? Idk. I'm just curious.... I got mario movie, and this film want to watch. This might rub me hhe wrong way, I'm kinda.... bit scard or be shocked to whag it will reveal in this.
I saw this in New York this is the weirdest movie I seen in while. I was dumbfounded on what I just watched. this makes Nope abstractness look like a full story. he really jump off the clip with this
I was particularly dumbfounded by the ending. That said, the opening scenes blew my mind.
It can't be weirder than Eraserhead 😂
Yeah after each movie I'm like I can't wait til his next movie lol each one so awesome to rewatch analyze and watch videos about lol
I can't wait to see it.
Why do you have to say “she’s not as young as she used to be” when it comes to her looks why didn’t you just enjoy her as she is.
It ends with a trial? What is this, Kafka? Does a large animated worm judge tear down the wall?
The opening means he was born with a chemical imbalance that caused his extreme chronic generalised anxiety disorder.
His mother also had it but it’s high-functioning anxiety. It’s hereditary.
His own fears and anxieties were amplified by his mother’s high-functioning anxiety, and that’s why he’s super dependent and afraid of her.
The ending means Beau drowned in his anxieties and paranoia.
This looks a wee too much out there for me. I can wait til it shows up on a platform. Hereditary was my favorite.
Nooo I loved the forest segment , didn’t like the sex scene lol or the attic monster 😂 but loved this film obsessed with it
Spoilers to a degree. First off, I pretty much completely agree with this review. But I will add that I'm seeing it as much more of a red flag than most. It's reminding me a lot, of M. Night's potential vs execution. Beau Is Afraid is very very self indulgent. I think the director and the film think they're being way more clever than they actually are. I got the gist of what was being said about an hour in, and I must admit, I thought that first act was brilliant. But it ends up taking a nosedive with too many ideas and very loose structure. I've seen this same concept done before in the masterpiece that is Enter the Void.
There is one reviewer, she hated this film. And doesn't want to review. Whatever it was. I'm just as interested to see....
Midsommer kinda felt anti-male....I'm not a Chad...I have a gf but, we are both pretty broke. We had to live in a car, on and off. I just don't feel real ppl that are not cops are assholes 100% of the time. When she wants to leave....I can't imagine wanting to stay. She's watching out for him....jeez I wish women made shit that easy for me. In my experience women won't even tell you when they want to break up, they just get more n more evasive.
I personally didn't find it that funny, but that's probably just my sense of humor. Maybe I took it too seriously at times
3 hours I’ll never get back.
So basically, it's not a movie for me. 😅
Yep, the first 1/3 is really good, but the rest is s**t 😂
12:10 lol u need to rewatch The Master then
Hereditary was absolutely fantastic and fresh. Midsommar was the worst piece of pretentious, bloated, boring, pointless and unwatchable piece of trash I have ever come across! It astonished me they are from the same film maker, that fact is surreal to me: it's like a diamond compared to a rotten turd. Hope this new one is good!
I might go back and watch the last 25 mins at some point, but I wouldn't bet on it. Three hours of gormless Bo with his gormless face and his gormless walk and I just couldn't care what happened or didn't happen to this shuffling berk.
This is an anxiety driven horror movie and his lazy demeanor might be purposeful because you want Beau to succeed and see the big picture
I think you're the only person to ever dislike Patti Lupone
Ari Aster is back? I didnt he left in the first place
Ari aster first few movies were. Amazing. Love em
Everything everywhere a at once ......hated it. One of the. Worst movies I've seen in a long time
Hereditary and Midsommar were good! Very mind boggling....this is GARBAGE!!
Wee Wee Monster!
Nothing about this movie was funny. It was a lie to say it was anything related to or adjacent to comedy
She’s not as young as she used to be 🧐 no duh
This movie flopped for me lol
Hated it. Waste of my life
Yawn
MOVIE WAS A TRIP
Is Joaquin being typecast for male characters with mommy issues (Joker and now this)?
Saw it on IMAX today. Awful film. Kind of growing out of these A24 type films
I'm with you on the ending of the film which I absolutely hated but the opening scenes in his apartment had me rolling out of my chair with laughter.
@@geekinwithJamesHancock I saw it at Lincoln Square. Didn’t even need the IMAX screen for this type of film. To me, it feels like a film greenlit because it’s from the Director of Hereditary, and they’ll give him free reign to put any indulgence on the screen. And the audience has to suffer the consequences
@@geekinwithJamesHancock what was the deal in the attic? Beau's mom says th hat it's his father. The dude chained up, or the other thangy? If the latter, what's the representation?
100% facts