Joy B

I was really rooting for "Beau is Afraid" but it didn't work. Even Joaquin Phoenix couldn't pull up on this incohesive nosedive. I kept hoping it was more than a mommy-issue movie, but that's it in a nutshell. Beau was raised by a selfish mother who makes life all about her and abusively so. We follow his journey to "get home," passing through scenarios; a melange of real memories and wishful thinking on his part. It opens well in showing the anxiety that Beau feels; everywhere he looks is danger. For a moment it reminded me of the old black comedy, "Little Murders" in its absurdity. Unfortunately, it quickly devolved into an incoherent , disjointed three hours of bush league symbolism as Aster tries to show us what it's like to be in Beau's head. For "Beau is Afraid," I'm afraid it's a waste of time.