In the recently released drama, Beautiful Boy, Steve Carell (Evan Almighty and The Office) plays the father of a young man addicted to meth. The movie depicts a family struggling to help their son as he navigates life through addiction, recovery and relapse. The movie, rated R, is a raw look at addiction.

But more than anything, the film chronicles the unconditional love of a family for their lost son.

Based on a True Story

Those who have family members struggling with addiction can attest: The movie’s roller coaster of emotions are true to life. In fact, Beautiful Boy is based on the true story and the books of David Sheff (Beautiful Boy) and Nic Sheff (Tweak).  The film earned its R rating with scenes of drug use, strong language and one intimate scene.

Carell plays David Sheff, a father who desperately wants to help his son beat addiction. The unconditional love he has for his boy propels him to do something — just about anything — to bring his son home and into health. From chasing his son’s car to going into seedy areas of town to find his boy, the father’s heartbreak is palpable.

Authentic and Honest

During a recent conference call, Carell described what drew him to the film. “I thought it was an incredibly authentic and honest depiction of what these people went through. Very raw. I was hopeful that the film would mirror that and wouldn’t be a Hollywood version of this kind of family crisis, this kind of national crisis. I didn’t want it to be trivialized in any way … but something that represented the truth of what these people had to go through.”

‘It’s Terrifying’

Carell credited his role as a father with making him want to do the movie. “I have two teenagers — a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old — and the thought of going through what this family, or any family goes through when faced with this kind of trauma, it’s terrifying. I can’t think of anything worse for a parent to have to suffer. And to watch your child spiraling out of control with absolutely no recourse is almost incomprehensible.”

He hopes that the movie will resonate with people and that it feels authentic. He wants people to walk away from the film with hope. But Carell’s one greatest takeaway is “the more you learn, the more you realize you need to know. … The key is to be present — continue to be present.”

Carell explained that the movie isn’t about addiction; it’s about the love of family. “In my mind, it’s a story about family and love. [It’s] a story primarily about family and love with the backdrop of this horrendous ordeal.”

Watch the trailer:

The movie stars Carell as David Sheff, Timothée Chalamet as Nic Sheff and Maura Tierney as Sheff’s wife Karen. The film is out in theaters now.