May 19, 2016 | By Tim Powers

‘Being Charlie’: New Film Shows That Addiction Isn’t Pretty

Addiction & Recovery News Miscellaneous

image source: filmexpress.org

Drug and alcohol addiction is a popular theme for filmmakers, but more often than not these movies contain themes and message that either glamorize substance abuse or paint those affected by addiction in a negative light. While these films spare no expense in giving moviegoers the visceral imagery and grotesque aftermath of addiction, these films often shed little or no light on the motivations of the addicts themselves.

However, there have been movies that have taken a deeper and more honest look at addiction. From early classics like The Lost Weekend and The Days of Wine and Roses to Trainspotting and Requiem For A Dream to more recent films such as The Wolf Of Wall Street, these films place more focus on the what drove characters to addiction and vividly (and truthfully) displayed the consequences of substance abuse not only for the addict but also those who love them.

A new film, Being Charlie, is a drama that attempts to tackle the consequences of heroin addiction. While the topic itself is nothing new in the world of cinema, moviegoers may be in for a surprise. The film was directed by Rob Reiner, whose resume includes such classics as When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me and The Princess Bride. The story–which revolves around a teen whose drug problems have landed him in and out of rehab–is loosely based on the struggles of Reiner’s son Nick who began co-writing the movie while in treatment. Nick Reiner had underwent 17 unsuccessful rehab stays and a bout of homelessness before he got clean at 19.

The film revolves around Charlie (play by Jurassic World’s Nick Robinson), a troubled teen who has just turned 18 and has run away from several drug treatment facilities. Upon his return home from his latest failed attempt at rehab, he is shocked to learn that his father (played by Cary Elwes) has staged an intervention with the goal of addressing Charlie so he can finally conquer his substance abuse issues.

A former film star who is running for governor of California, his father is forcing Charlie to attend rehab under threats of homelessness and criminal prosecution as a result of incidents that occurred during his last treatment stay. Charlie reluctantly enters treatment and eventually forms a romantic relationship with Eva, who is also an addict.

While Charlie’s relationship with Eva seems to be the perfect antidote to the strained relationships he has with his parents, Charlie’s life spirals out of control until he hits his bottom right during the eve of the governor’s election and must fully confront his addiction.

In an interview with Today, Rob and Nick Reiner had stated that making Being Charlie was a deeply personal movie. The elder Reiner said the following:

The process of making this film not only forced me to see what he was experiencing, but I think it forced him to see what I went through and what his mother went through. Hopefully the film is a reflection of that.

The film, which opened last week, has received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics had stated that the film is well made and that the Reiners and co-writer Matt Elisofon had done little to flatter the character of Charlie, critics also argue that the film focused too much on the sense of entitlement and privilege of Charlie and his family and hadn’t delved deeper into how the family dynamic itself contributed to his addiction problems.

Nevertheless, Being Charlie will be a film that will strike a chord with individuals and families struggling with addiction–and it may promote further dialogue regarding the impact of substance abuse in the United States.