this earnest endeavor does wonders to enact sympathy and overturn any negative public perception of Shia LaBeouf's outbursts, even if it can feel more like self-therapy than a fully-formed film
the script, written by Shia LaBeouf, is refreshingly direct, and at times, wrenchingly personal, anchored by vulnerable old-soul Noah Jupe, who gives one of the most moving child performances I've seen in years
taking on tricky subject matter with gravity and depth, Honey Boy can't be dismissed as yet another Shia LaBeouf caper. It's a reminder of a talent that, despite its own worst instincts, refuses to be snuffed out
a triumph for LaBeouf but a spectacular narrative debut for Alma Har'el; It's somewhat remarkable, to be honest; director takes material that could have easily been too messy for words and transforms it into an increasingly captivating experience
a sensitive, sincere portrait of a child actor's dysfunctional upbringing and its devastating fallout; this is in many ways an impressive, vividly realized piece of work, marking an assured feature screenwriting bow for Shia LaBeouf