Before I go further, let me provide you with a brief rundown of what this book is about. ;�w���Ib��� 4�����w�`���'���@���,�H3�Z ����� By that I mean it showed me what real addiction is. Use them as a guide to help your group thoughtfully engage the material in the film and gain a deeper understanding of how to respond to the concerns & reflections of your peers. • Currently—lives in Inverness, California. If anything, the book was more eyeopening than sad. The book grew out of the article "My Addicted Son" that Sheff had written for The New York Times Magazine in 2005. Did the book change your opinion or perspective about anything? David did what he thought was best. To our family? Sure, I have a puppy that I would do anything for, but I know it doesn’t truly compare to having a human child. Initially I went into the book thinking it would make me sad and cry. Perhaps the openness and honesty drove Nic to drugs. Unfortunately he relapses. I am still forming my thoughts so bear with me. We encourage you to always follow a pro-life movie viewing with a facilitated discussion about it. Of all the questions about this book, this was the toughest. Fortunately he is in recovery. For the first three years, they live a happy, contented life, providing Nic with everything he needs. 0 After seeing what real addiction looks like, I believe that I was never addicted, but was a heavy user that decided to quit. Cast: Steve Carell as David Sheff. I would recommend this book for anyone who has been an addict or known an addict, or for anyone who wants a better understanding of the disease. What did I do wrong? We will be alternating who picks the books month to month. 144 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<5C0EB0FB2D2A8842ACB6A64F71627022>]/Index[116 52]/Info 115 0 R/Length 127/Prev 211030/Root 117 0 R/Size 168/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Skip to main content; New House Rules Find out everything you need to know before your first visit back to Alamo Drafthouse. This movie follows one family's true story of addiction, relapse, heartache, and sobriety. I don’t want to belittle Nic’s affectedness by the situation, or anyone’s (myself included) but as David said, the disease knows no bounds. Psychology 360: Abnormal Psychology 11/4/15 Discussion Questions: David Sheff, “Beautiful Boy” & “My Addicted Son” 1. Obviously that lends itself to a wide range of books. The setting was key for me in relating to the story and holding my interest. But, as an assigned reading for Drug/Health Class I am taking through PSU, it definitely opened my eyes to the constant battles faced by both parent and addict with dealing with an addiction. When David smoked pot with Nic I was slightly surprised. It was a privilege, an honor. Overall David seemed like a good parent by providing adequate shelter, opportunities for growth and self expression, a good education, and a loving home. Seeing Jasper and Daisy grow up and become aware that their brother was more than a “smokey guy” hit home for me. Published in 2008, David Sheff’s memoir, Beautiful Boy, explores his experiences of coming to terms with his son’s addiction to methamphetamine. From a parent’s perspective, it seems there is no way to tell which path will work. Maybe these wisps of memories are meant to reflect the characters’ inner state of chaos. • Education—University of California, Berkeley. Meth is deadly and fatal. Teaching Beautiful Boy. I would have liked to end on Nic’s triumph. • Birth—N/A. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Sheff, David. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Featuring local experts in a post-film discussion. Group A: Questions regarding the content of the film: • Where—Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Would you be honest about your past with your own kids? 116 0 obj <> endobj Addiction memoirs often illustrate this same definition of insanity…Yet the genre itself remains so addictive that readers keep hoping to discover … The club consists of two for now. A story of addiction told through the eyes of a father, a family’s struggle driven by fear, heartache, determination, … Next on the docket is Room by Emma Donoghue. Only upon retrospection do you comprehend what you’ve gone through. At the time it was pouring Pop’s drink the way he likes it. I am open to reading more nonfiction now as well. "Beautiful Boy" is the name of the memoir journalist David Sheff wrote in 2008 about the struggles of his son Nic. I would be honest with my theoretical children about my drug use to an extent and at the right times. Which of his experiences, thoughts, and actions were most affecting to you? Learn More. I related to how back-and-forth David felt toward the end when he felt anxious helping Nic and anxious not helping Nic. The title came from a song I … I would like to share those questions and my answers with you. I didn’t love the ending. Alamo Drafthouse Navigation Film, Food, Fun. What is the extent of David Sheff’s own drug use? David's son, Nic, had started using drugs at an early age and struggled many tim. He needs to hit rock bottom and know what it’s like to lose everything and suffer…” Yet, when that phone rings you’re damn sure I’m going to answer and do whatever I can to help my family. Stay tuned for more bookclub discussion. Beautiful Boy by David Sheff tells the story of methamphetamine addiction from the perspective of the father of an addicted son. BEAUTIFUL BOY Film: A Discussion Guide for Families. Fortunately he is in recovery again. “Beautiful Boy” jumps all over the place in time, needlessly cutting to flashbacks and flash-forwards in ways that are more than just confusing. Before going to the cinema: a) Divide your class into two groups (A and B). I wouldn’t tell my theoretical 14 year old about using cocaine or harder drugs, at least not until they were older and I felt like they could understand limits. Then in February I went overboard and read The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew and The Last Battle, The Woman In the Window, and Annihilation. Our club laid out some general discussion questions and some specific questions. Jack Dylan Grazer as 12-year-old Nic Sheff. I would also want my children to talk about their use, or thoughts on drugs, with me. Obviously at some point the story has to end in order to publish, but it definitely didn’t feel over. I would like to share those questions and my answers with you. In the New York Times Book Review, Janet Maslin wrote, “Addiction is a compulsion to do the same thing over and over, despite knowing that the outcome will almost certainly be the same. There were times while reading I said to myself, “let him fall," but it’s difficult to know what I would have done were it me. And it began to feel repetitive to the point I stopped caring about the journey and wanted to know the conclusion. Based on the memoirs “Beautiful Boy” by our friend, David Sheff , and “Tweak” by his son, Nic Sheff , the film follows the harrowing experience of meth addiction and recovery through a father’s and family’s … Not only is it accepted, often it is encouraged. When you look from that perspective and see what little is being done in comparison to other diseases it is sickening. Meet new friends online & Invite other friends to Share your comments & thoughts with about Beautiful Boy movie ( From the publisher .) The Unofficial Discussion for Beautiful Boy (cuz no one else is doing it) Okay hi hello. From the people I grew up with, experimenting with drugs was normal for us. What disadvantages? endstream endobj 117 0 obj <. Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff This is a memoir of a father's attempts and unfortunately his many failed attempts to help his son Nick kick the habit of his addiction to drugs. I was ready to get sad. Beautiful Boy. Unfortunately he relapses. Did Sheff seem to you a “good parent”? What are the many ill effects and harms caused by methamphetamine use? It is impossible to know when recreation became addiction for Nic. Originally published: 2008. Here is an excerpt from David Sheff’s website: What had happened to my beautiful boy? Sheff and his wife Vicki are overjoyed when they have their son, Nic. Not in the sense I could’t believe a parent would do that, but because I was surprised David himself would—seemed out of character for him as a parent. It instills a message of disingenuous smugness, even if only meant in a harmless way. Discuss Nic’s upbringing. Timothée Chalamet as Nic Sheff. I mention that because I did feel a bit of a drag in the middle. At a point Nic is on drugs then recovering, on drugs then recovering…and so on. I know many people who did drugs on and off as kids (some that still do as adults) and they live healthy, normal lives. My favorite part, and this is kind of lame, was all the facts and statistics. Perhaps he knew his parents would be forgiving and understanding, so he did drugs. If you have questions or comments feel free to leave one below. I won’t review the book because I don’t feel like I have enough experience to do that. But seeing the numbers and formative year developmental hindrances it helped me feel empathetic for the state he has spent so much of his life in. It felt like a downer, but then there was a book tour. At the same time I understand the point to it. 167 0 obj <>stream This didn’t happen. About Beautiful Boy. Did it hook you immediately, or take time to get into? BEAUTIFUL BOY Film: A Discussion Guide for Families. The only criteria is that the book has to have been made into a movie since it’s publication. This book is a memoir written by writer and journalist David Sheff. Addiction is a disease, an illness, an ailment—whatever you want to call it. Zachary Rifkin as 8-year-old Nic Sheff. Either way, I was ready to have it end. Which character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with? You have to wing it, which sounds terrifying. I am not used to reading nonfiction, but parts of this felt like a novel. Here is how the rankings stood, from most to least important aspects of a penis. Archived. Parenthood was the most foreign experience for me. Those are the wrenching questions that haunted every moment of David Sheff’s journey through his son Nic’s addiction to drugs and tentative steps toward recovery. I hope to have a small library room one day. This 2018 film is unique in its perspective of not only following a young person through his journey of drug addiction, but in also following the perspective of his parents and … What made the setting unique or important? If the setting had been elsewhere, I wouldn’t have been as drawn into the story. Until then I didn’t know how ubiquitous addiction is and I decided to expand the Times article into a book, which I called Beautiful Boy. The stigma around marijuana is unwarranted especially compared to how dangerous alcohol can be. Obviously I would warn about the dangers and about being responsible. What did I do wrong? I love books. I would get a candy bar, he would get a beer. In the introduction, Sheff writes, “I have felt and thought and done almost everything an addict’s parent can feel and think and do” (p. 13). I saw Beautiful Boy today in the theater and would like to talk to you about it, Reddit. David Sheff writes this in Beautiful Boy, and I think it is the fundamental reality to remember. I’ve been in similar predicaments and said to myself, “I’m not helping him. The Beautiful Boy lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. 1. My view of addiction is definitely altered. Thanks for reading. In the New York Times Book Review, Janet Maslin wrote, “Addiction is a compulsion to do the same thing over and over, despite knowing that the outcome will almost certainly be the same.Addiction memoirs often illustrate this same definition of insanity…Yet the genre itself remains so addictive that readers keep hoping to discover something new.” Author Bio. Beautiful Boy is the 2018 film based off of David Sheff's book, Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction. But the new film Beautiful Boy, based on the memoirs of journalist David Sheff and his son, Nic, follows a different path — almost a path without a path. “Beautiful Boy” is a powerful, poignant and heartbreaking film, combining the memoirs of David Sheff and his son, Nic Sheff. Split the work up and answer the following questions. As he stated, everyone reacts to different treatments in different ways. The following are suggestions for group discussion questions. How did you feel about the ending? Something else to point out: The book itself is overlong. Join & Discussion about English movie Beautiful Boy. Anger used to be my first emotion tied to addiction, but now it is sympathy and understanding. Type here and click enter to search Shows and News. %%EOF It was published by Houghton Mifflin on February 26, 2008. 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