‘Boy Erased’, a True Story of a Youngster Was Made to Send an Important Message

Jared Eamons played by Lucas Hedges is a youngster leading a normal, healthy life just like any other youngster, under the protection of his parents. His father Marshall played by Russell Crowe is an Arkansas based Baptist teacher while his mother Nancy played by academy award winner Nicole Kidman is a self-styled hairdresser. After enrolling himself in college, young Jared comes to discover his gay identity which results in him breaking up with his girlfriend over the same matter.

Unable to come to grips with his new discovery, he chooses to disclose it to his parents. The new revelation comes as a complete shock to Jared’s parents who have a religious bent. Marshall convinces Jared to sign up for a gay conversion therapy program to which Jared hesitantly agrees to attend. One can imagine the turmoil, guilt, and confusion going through the mind of a youngster who is told that he’s not normal and is forced to be separated from his parents, someone whom he looks up to.

Meanwhile, Jared’s mother Nancy has also been caught up in a complex situation wherein she’s torn between her husband’s decision to do the right thing and her love for her son. While attending the therapy sessions, Jared connects with several gays who are enrolled to become straight. During his stay, Jared discovers that many of the attendees are being seriously abused which eventually results in a clash with head therapist Victor Sykes played by director Joel Edgerton. During the clash, issues emerge during which Jared denies hating his father.

Jared decides to seek help from Nancy, who after witnessing Jared’s mental decline literally drags him out of the program much against Victor’s anger and wishes. Jared returns home but does his life come back to normalcy? Do his father and the society as a whole accept his new identity?

Merge of talents

With big names like Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Russel Crowe, Academy award nominee Lucas Hedges and Director-Writer Joel Edgerton the movie sure seems to be an action-packed drama with an important message. The movie was released yesterday and has received some amazing reviews on rotten tomatoes. Reports suggest that the director has beautifully brought out Garrard Conley’s journey with “sensitivity and quiet strength”.

In an interview, Joel Edgerton revealed that he was very shocked to read about Garrard Conley’s personal experiences in the book. Curiosity for offbeat subjects was what led Edgerton to read Garrard Conley’s book, however, after completing the book, he came out of it with a different takeaway about the sensitive topic and decided to bring it to audiences.

Check out the trailer below