(Spoilers follow.) If you are American and think you’ve felt all the feels you could as a result of the gay debate in the United States, you may be extremely surprised. Perhaps “Boy Erased,” which is based on a true story, reminds of that as well as anything.

The film also recalls how at variance evangelical Christianity is with gay folks’ sexuality being natural; how much families struggle to accept gay folks, even gay youth; and the problems with gay-conversion therapy programs, perhaps even from the perspective of those who view homosexuality as a sin.

Lucas Hedges as Jared Eamons in “Boy Erased.” (out.com)

And it offers that Jared Eamons, played in the film by Lucas Hedges, played a major role in the change of thought on such programs. (It also suggests that not every stakeholder had a shortcoming within the conflicts of this story.)

One experience Jared had was wrong in the fullest sense, but the film suggests that the culture was so against his sexuality that it was impossible for him to voice it without negative fallout. (The film was smart to do that.)

One gay-conversion therapy program participant, Cameron (Britton Sear), commits suicide after being beaten, and you may find yourself crying.

Eamons’ writing impacts his family, as the film shows. It may make one consider that writers whose families have rejected them may be because they believe that they must either accept the ideas in the given writers’ work, or be at variance with other family members.

As Nancy Eamons, Nicole Kidman, appropriately reminds all too much of a typical woman of the religious right — until a twist that indeed occurred happens.

As Marshall Eamons, Russell Crowe appropriately reminds all too much of a typical Southern pastor (the events occurred in Arkansas).

Joel Edgerton, “Boy Erased” director and actor (Gavin Bond/The Rake)

The key for the viewer is to pay rather close attention, because the trick is to intake the nuance of scenes. Because events on the surface can make it seem like the program, those involved in Jared’s life, and other organizations and stakeholders are benign.

It is the various players’ reactions to things they are told, or actions that take place, or how they emote in correspondence with those things that offers their intent and motives, and the morality or lack thereof they apply regarding the gay plight. The nuance is there mostly because of the work of director Joel Edgerton (who also played a key character). That’s especially because it is clear that much of it is the result of direction.

Only on occasion is intent, motive, and/or morality explicit — one is when Jared tells Nancy, his mother, that the program relates strongly to parents.

Location: Atlanta, Ga. (IMDb)

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