Ben Is Back is a powerful illustration of the realization that no matter how old children are, parents will always be concerned about their well-being. So is Julia Roberts’ character, who is willing to do anything for her long-grown son. And that even when he can’t seem to help himself, but wants to destroy himself. Roberts’ depiction of a desperately struggling mother is poignant and should grab the hearts (and tear ducts!) of most viewers – also because we all recognize ourselves (at least in part) in it…
“Ben Is Back” is on MDR today, March 27, 2023 at 11:10 PM.
If the appointment is too late in the evening for you, you can watch the movie anytime as part of the Arthouse CNMA channel stream on Amazon*. This channel, which is also permanently worthwhile because of its program, can be tested for free for seven days for all Prime Video subscribers. Or you can order the Blu-ray or DVD right away, which offers some extras such as cast interviews and making-of features:
In our FILMSTARTS review of Peter Hedges’ drama (“Gilbert Grape – Somewhere in Iowa”, “Dan – In the Middle of Life”), we award it a solid four out of five stars. Particular praise is given to the authenticity and originality of the addiction scenes, which are refreshingly far removed from the Hollywood clichés repeatedly warmed to on the subject.
Ben is cleverly drawn as a kind-hearted boy – full of love, empathy and good intentions, but also sympathetically humorous. Thanks to the screenplay, staging and actors, his characterization as a ticking time bomb waiting to go off and bring down everyone around him is just as successful. The title character is embodied by Peter Hedges’ son, “Manchester By The Sea” and “Ladybird” star Lucas Hedges.
However, his excellent performance is clearly overshadowed by Julia Roberts’ dazzling lion mother performance. The superstar manages to make us believe that Holly is incredibly strong-willed yet extremely vulnerable. The review concludes by saying that Julia Roberts’ performance here should have been Oscar-worthy.
“Ben Is Back” on MDR: That’s the story
It’s the day before Christmas when Ben Burns (Hedges) suddenly shows up with his family after a year of complete absence. While mom Holly (Roberts) is about to explode with joy, his younger sister Ivy (Kathryn Newton) isn’t nearly as euphoric. And stepdad Neal (Courtney B. Vance) isn’t thrilled about the surprise return. They both remember all too well the emotional havoc Ben’s last guest appearance left in their wake.
Still, Holly does not want to spoil the joy of the reunion and is more than willing to take her son, who actually lives in a residential group for addicts, back into the family circle. Even if that means frantically removing all pills and other possible and impossible danger sources for a relapse from home.
She even goes so far as to say she won’t take her eyes off Ben for the next 24 hours. To show her unquestioning loyalty to him, she not only goes with him to a self-help meeting for junkies, she also lies down on the floor in front of his bed to spend the night there. And yet it doesn’t take long for the young man’s past and his treacherous illness to catch up with him…
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Author:
Source : Film Starts
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
