A couple struggling with the aftermath of a horrific crime must deal with their own troubles as well as the grief of others in the independent drama "Beautiful Boy."

Bill (Michael Sheen) and Kate (Maria Bello) are a married couple who are tightly wound and devoted to their work - Bill is a businessman, Kate proofreads books. Bill and Kate's marriage has taken a turn for the worse, and they're on the verge of breaking up when they receive shocking news - their 18-year-old son, Sam (Kyle Gallner), a college freshman, went on a shooting spree that claimed the lives of several people before he turned his gun on himself.

As the news media descends on the couple, Bill and Kate are unable to understand why Sam would do such a thing, and as they struggle to find answers, they turn to family -- Kate's brother, Eric (Alan Tudyk), and his wife, Trish (Moon Bloodgood) -- without being able to resolve the issues that were driving them apart before tragedy struck.

"Beautiful Boy" was the first feature film from director Shawn Ku; it was an official selection at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.