This past Friday, I decided to go to a movie theater that is a little further than the one I normally go to because I wanted to see a small film called “Being Charlie.” The theater was empty except for three other people, all over the age of 50. So, you might say I was the minority. It was certainly worth it, though, because it was one of the most gratifying films I have ever seen. The main character, Charlie, is a boy who has just turned 18 years old and has struggled with substance abuse. He has been in and out of rehabilitation facilities but has always found some excuse to leave early. It is an honest, coming-of-age story about a teenager who is struggling to find where he fits into the world. That may sound a bit cliché, but this film was the furthest thing from cliché. There is real emotion in this film and the emotions that are portrayed through Charlie’s experiences really reflect what many people in the real world have felt. He experiences loss, love and indifference to the world around him, and he deals with all of that by turning to drugs. Substance abuse is such a prevalent issue in the world and I think that this film very accurately depicted what can happen when a young kid is going through the struggles of life without any real guidance. It is clear right off the bat that Charlie feels disconnected from his parents and the image he thinks they want out of him. That aspect alone shows how relatable this film can be for teenagers and even adults. It shows the ugly in the world, but truly makes you feel everything all at once. There is nudity in the film, sex, and crude humor, and I think that was necessary for the tone of the film to really be set for the audience. It shows that the world isn’t just rainbows and butterflies, but is actually a very complicated place. I approached an older gentleman to ask what he thought of the film at its conclusion.
He said, “I thought it was beautifully made and depicted the youthful journey and angst we all had to go through at one point in our young lives.”
As I watched this film, I found myself thinking about so many things. I truly sympathized with Charlie and I could feel the confusion, anger and sadness he seemed to be wrapped up in. When a film has the ability to make you feel what the characters are feeling, that is truly a magnificent film. The viewers should be able to imagine their lives in a film and be able to concoct all different kinds of ideas from the environment of the film. “Being Charlie” did so beautifully and at the conclusion of the film, I found myself looming in my chair, watching the credits seep down the screen. I was absorbing the film’s mood and everything that I had felt as it progressed over an hour and a half. I would recommend this film to anyone of any age who is just looking to feel something real.
