Movie #1663 ........................."Ben is Back"

Movie #1663 "Ben is Back"  -- this is a well-acted, emotional and taut suspense film that never gives up its hold on the viewer.  The viewer never sees Ben the way he was way before, as a young kid before drinking, nor does it show his downfall, which has incidentally caused the huge amount of tension when he shows back up.  What did he do to make everyone seem to walk on eggshells in the house?  To make his mom go from room to room and hide any money or drugs or jewelry?  We never get the whole story, but we see it in bits and pieces, and we are on the fence about him --- we want to believe him, like the rest of the family, but we can sense that he hasn't ever really told all of the truth to these people who love him so dearly!  Esp. Mom, who is relentless to keep him abstaining from alcohol, and therefore trying to save his life.  This film was hard to watch, but it was well done and addresses quite well a social issue (increase of opioids) , and one that we need more attention to and now!  I am impressed that the actor playing Ben has this script written for him by his dad, who is also the director.  Well done!  Irony that Tony Chalamet also starred in a film this year ("A Beautiful Boy") on the same subject.  The two kids were nominated for films last year, so it will be interesting if it happens again --- they are both deserving.  I give it a 5 out of 5.  But it is a tough watch.



"BEN IS BACK"

Ben Is Back

 2018 R 1h 43m 

• 
  

As troubled as he is charming, 19-year-old Ben Burns surprises everyone when he returns  

home for Christmas.  Although his mother cautiously welcomes Ben's arrival, he soon begins

to disrupt the family.  

 

Cast 

Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Tim Guinee, Melissa van der Schyff, Emily Cass McDonnell

Director 

Peter Hedges