The tagline for the movie Our Hero, Balthazar is "Take a Shot at Friendship." It's clever, but what I was left thinking after this movie ended was, "Do you know who the real monster is?"
The plot is brilliant and stars two former child stars: Jaeden Martell as Balthazar and British actor Asa Butterfield as Solomon, a young Texan whom Balthazar believes is planning a school shooting.
Balthazar, a wealthy New York teen whose father is absent and whose mother (Jennifer Ehle) tries but has far too much going on in her own life to pay much attention to what Balthazar's up to, posts online videos of himself fake crying about violence in American schools, not because he really gives any thought to the matter, but because he has a crush on a girl in school who is an activist campaigning against school shootings. It's something she feels strongly about, so Balthazar tries to show concern as well.
When she sees right through him, he decides to do something to impress her. He contacts Solomon online and discusses school shootings. Solomon, who's a few years older than Balthazar, lives in Texas. He says he wants to do one himself, but when Balthazar begs him not to, Solomon blocks him. Balthazar then pretends to be a woman who's interested in Solomon, and says he wants to come and see him. Solomon agrees, hoping there's actually a woman who finds him appealing.
The movie looks hopeful in the sense that these two lonely young men may form a friendship. Although they're from very different financial statuses, they were both essentially abandoned by their parents as children. Something Solomon has over Balthazar is a loving relationship with his grandmother. Balthazar instead has a "life coach" named Anthony (Noah Centineo). Martell and Butterfield give flawless performances, and Butterfield is literally unrecognizable with red curly hair and facial hair. His portrayal of a young man who has to deal with all kinds of heartbreaking situations is touching. His life is not an easy one, and viewers will sympathize with this character's willingness to stay open to people such as his deadbeat father, even when he's been let down over and over.
Balthazar's motives are more difficult to understand. Why was he really doing the crying videos? Is he actually trying to stop a school shooting and, in doing so, find a friend? The ending will surprise you -- I definitely did not see it coming. ~Alexandra Heilbron
4.5 out of 5 stars
Our Hero, Balthazar is playing June 8 in Vancouver, June 14 in Toronto and June 17 in Ottawa, as well as in several locations across the United States, including New York City; Bremerton, Washington; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Greenfield, Massachussetts; and Santa Ana, California. If you have seen the movie and would like to review it yourself, click here.