KB B
It's a pretty good film about a broken family with 2 young boys essentially left alone most days. The father loves them and trust his best but it doesn't work. It's sad but worth the watch.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/06/24
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Nathan A
I probably watch 10 movies a week. Maybe that sounds pathetic. And I definitely am not looking for a movie to be a certain thing. But I really love the naturalistic dialogue in this movie.
They got the interaction between men and boys just right. They characters and the core issues are written in such a way that it could have been a zombie movie, Syfy or really anything. It's it seems like this is gotten very rare. Either the director is spending too much time on the special effects or trying to be too weird or killing off a character every 5 minutes.
But this should be a master class in script writing. And halfway through, I realized I didn't care if the ending was bad. I just enjoyed watching these people try to figure it out.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/27/21
Full Review
Audience Member
Probably good for a kid 15+
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Coming of age films are a dime a dozen, and what it really comes down to is the stregth of the young actor or actress. The way it usually works out is that the better they are, the better the film is, and when it comes to Hellion, casting was dead on, but there was also something else that made this one special. After losing his mother, Jacob Wilson (Josh Wiggins) started acting out. Maybe his fathers transformation into a full blown alcoholic had something to do with it, or maybe it's the fact that he's left to be the adult and take care of his little brother that's the problem, but whatever the case it gets a whole lot worse. After stupid teenaged behavior causes his younger brother to be taken away and placed with his aunt, Jacob has to become the adult and convince his father to clean up in order to bring his little brother home, a herculean task, when you consider the fact that Jacob himself is still a wreck. The young star of the film, newcomer Josh Wiggins is absolutely terrific, outshining multiple award winning actors and actresses in this film, but he's not the only difference here. Hellion takes on the dark southern poverty stricken surreal feeling of other similar films that have become extremely popular in recent years. Similar to Winter's Bone, Joe, and Mud, there is an aspect to this film that is methodical and real. It's almost like you aren't watching a movie, you're just seeing real life unfold in front of your eyes. This combined with an extraordinary young talent made this extremely enjoyable to watch. Everything was very raw, emotional, and just real, a credit to both the writer, director, and cast involved in Hellion. This style is fairly new in cinema and has really defined the 2010s era, to see it combined with something that was so relate-able made for a very special film.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Director: Kat Chandler
With: Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Josh Higgins (13 year old), Juliette Lewis
It is a sensitive, but non-sentimental film about the devastating aftermath on a young family after the mother has recently died. The Wilson family consists of dad Hollis, excellently portrayed by Aaron Paul, and his two sons, 13 year old Jacob (Josh Higgins) and 10 year old Wes (Deke Garner). Before the main plot unfolds, it's apparent that the dad was lost for a time in his own bereavement, using drink to ease the pain, but he forgot that his sons needed him badly as well. Before the ensuing story, at which point he was back, he had disappeared for three weeks, leaving the kids to fend for themselves with some help from the sister-in-law (Juliette Lewis). The older brother had to grow up fast (too fast) in order to take care of his brother. This leaves a simmering anger towards his father for abandoning them and yet the amazing actor that is young Josh Higgins is able to convey his characters' inability to cope with the inner despair of losing his mother. He is tough on the outside, but so vulnerable within.
Not surprisingly, this potent mix of anger and despair in a teenager, manifests by Jacob becoming a hellion \ hooligan - in bravado, he calls his mates 'the crew', who rampage through the community wrecking cars, getting into fights, setting fire to things and soon enough are embroiled with the police. He gets expelled from school and is facing a likely life of 'juvie' then who knows. Despite this, we sympathise, as it's clear he has a decent heart. But his life just gets even harder, as the social services decide that he is to be separated from his young brother. There is a wrenching scene where both brothers scream and vainly struggle against officers placing them in police cars.
His father tries desperately to bring him back to order - there is a particular scene in the pizza place - and it's painful to watch the pathos - of the hurting young lad and the despairing father who just wants the best for him.
The film of course has to eventually resolve the storyline and so brings forth a reasonably dramatic ending. But the real strength of the film is the realistic portrayal of how devastating losing the heart of a young family can be.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Aaron Paul doing a great performance in this blue collar drama about a troubled family looking to get closer after the loss of their wife and mother.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/29/23
Full Review
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