She wants to support and protect her beloved oldest child without endangering or alienating the rest of the family, and in spite of everything that has happened she still has unwavering faith in her own maternal powers. They search for Ponce together to no avail. Helmed by Peter Hedges, the 2018 drama Ben Is Back is a refreshing and nuanced addiction movie about drugs and how they affect society. He has a secret. Pockets. This is humiliating. No, this is love. Hollys oblivious. Free to go. You didnt check my shoes. Then Holly becomes concerned. Holly has two kids with her second husband (Courtney B. Vance) in addition to Ben and his younger sister, Ivy (Kathryn Newton), from her first. In the place, Dolly finds Ben almost dead. And hes with his mother Holly, played by Julia Roberts. Lucas Hedges plays the titular Ben, a recovering heroin addict, and Julia Roberts is Ben's loving mom. Ben is Back. Subscribe to learn more about the movies you love! He uses the same outline here: theres a screw-up title character (Lucas Hedges, the directors son) with a suffering/domineering mother named Holly (Julia Roberts), an insufferably perfect sister named Ivy (Katherine Newton) as well as a benign-ish father (Courtney B. Vance) all hoping Ben doesnt spoil everything as he always does. Therefore, the chances are that the guy who read the note called Dolly to inform Ponces location. But then in the second half of Ben Is Back, it becomes a different kind of movie: a low-key thriller in which Ben and Holly are forced to run around town, revisiting his misdeeds in search of clues to a mystery. The demon her son has been battling turns out to be a monster whose tentacles are everywhere and whose appetites are beyond reckoning. She wants to have a good feeling about her sons return. You can feel every conflicting emotion shes experiencing as she pulls up to the familys house with her other kids in tow and is stunned at the sight of her eldest, a hoodied 19-year-old standing awkwardly in the driveway. Bens sister, Ivy (Kathryn Newton), wants him gone. Stuart Dryburgh of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty fame came on board as the director of photography. "[13] At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 39 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". he locks himself in a mall fitting room. He blames himself for someone attempting to hurt his family. Theres this dangerous something coursing through him. The film is actually most interesting to watch Hollys moral compass shift in any direction to help her son especially when she justifies his bad behavior to help him process his past actions. Will he be dead on the floor with a needle sticking out of his arm? The best thing that can be said about this film is that Hedges isnt going for warm and fuzzy feelings. Its not as interesting narratively or as relatable emotionally. Holly is eager to make Bens unexpected arrival seem as normal as possible, laughing too hard at his jokes and buzzing about the kitchen in a flurry of activity. Ben plays noisily with his half-siblings but too noisily an edge of anxious . If the thought has indeed crossed your mind, allow us to enlighten you. It is almost laughable to watch Julia Roberts wandering around a site full of addicts on a dark winter night searching for her child. We see snippets of a sleepy town, zooming into a Christmas choir. The MPAA rating has been assigned for language throughout and some drug use. The Kids-In-Mind.com evaluation includes a physical altercation that ends with a punch in the face, references to sex in exchange for drugs, opioid addiction and its effects on family and loved ones, discussions of the death of people addicted to opioids and rehab, and over 30 F-words. Be aware that while we do our best to avoid spoilers it is impossible to disguise all details and some may reveal crucial plot elements. But this is one of those rare Hollywood movies that keeps you guessing, where you dont see the ending coming 20 minutes in. Technically, the film is a two-hander. Since Mr. Richmonds wife had cancer, he could get all the prescription drugs. Photograph: Doane Gregory/AP These colors don't run. From Spider, Dolly knows about the hideout in exchange for the drugs Dolly retrieved from Ben at the shopping mall. Not added . In fulfilling the assignment, Clayton offers Ben a pouch of the drug to reward Bens service in the smuggling operation. There is a scene where Julia Roberts' car breaks down. And Ben has a secret. If you think what we do is worthwhile, please donate or become a member, Why is Ben Is Back rated R? And since Clayton is the last person Ben imagined as the culprit behind the break-in, he does not want Dolly to go there. . Hedges film is stronger in its first half, when its an understated character drama, than in its second half, when it morphs into a contrived crime thriller. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. The disease of addiction can afflict anyone, anywhere, Hedges reminds us, just as Beautiful Boy did earlier this year. It is hard to believe anything Ben says when he arrives or opens his mouth. Hedges is as excellent as he was in "Manchester By the Sea," but it's fair to say the movie belongs to Roberts. Her best moments have Holly making some questionable decisions, thoughher heart is in the right place. Lucas Hedges has to work a tricky balancing act of appearing. Julia Roberts films Ben Is Back in sub-zero weather https://t.co/kmKOaHd0oB #Yonkers pic.twitter.com/LPHHL3bZh3, YonkersRU (@YonkersRoundup) January 8, 2018. What Hedges wants to do here is make you feel the dread and nausea of a parent living with a teenage addict the prickle of fear walking into his bedroom. But the performances remain uniformly strong and hold the story together, even as it threatens to spin out of control. Become a member of our premium site for just $2/month & access advance reviews, without any ads, not a single one, ever. He also keeps Ben and Hollys ordeal safely within the boundaries of convention, focusing on the particulars of one familys pain. Prices of energy and food are rising rapidly. The hometown is mundane and suburban, but the camera looks for an exit from nature, reinforcing the fostering image. Now, you may wonder where the film was shot. 10. Ben owes Clayton a great deal of money since he takes a wad of cash and Dollys expensive necklace to make it square. Our ratings and reviews are based on the theatrically-released versions of films; on video there are often Unrated, Special, Director's Cut or Extended versions, (usually accurately labelled but sometimes mislabeled) released that contain additional content, which we did not review. Later still, Dolly and Ben go garment shopping, and seeing Ben in possession of the drug, the guards throw them out of the mall. We are a totally independent website with no connections to political, religious or other groups & we neither solicit nor choose advertisers. See production, box office & company info, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Julia Roberts/Patrick Wilson. Now, with Ben is Back, director Peter Hedges has created something a little bit different: a half-and-half movie with plenty of standard-issue addiction drama courtesy of Julia Roberts as a suburban mum trying to keep her 19-year-old son off opioids at Christmas. In contrast, an episode where Holly vomits after piecing together what Ben did to get his history teachers Oxycontin is a bit much. And she thinks shes covered all the tracks. The film highlights many shades of Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges' central roles, Holly and Ben. Ben is back! - Drug addiction, the opioid crisis, guilt, honesty, giving up on people, fear, truth, trust, support groups, rehab. She may be too deep in her own suffering, and the film may be too absorbed in her feelings, to grasp that fully. Later, Ben and Dolly head to a community session, and Ben meets another addict who used to score from him. Christmas can be emotionally fraught no matter who you are or what family you grew up in, but it can be especially tricky when youre an addict, and even more so when you have a tenuous grasp on your recovery. And Julias switch from happy mother shopping with her son to concerned and panicked mother is Mom, it was a joke. so powerful. Excuse me can I get a key to this door, please? This scene is a microcosm for the film that in Holly, at the beginning, you see the hope she has that this is going to be a fun thing. Even after the menacing, hooded figure skulking around near the driveway is recognized as a son and brother (played by Lucas Hedges), the queasy feeling of terror doesnt quite abate. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. While Dolly finds the cell phone, there is no whereabouts of Ben. When Neal calls Dolly, Ben is still out of sight. And then he reminds her, no, she didnt check everything. He has sworn that he wont, and part of him doesnt want to, but the other part has made him a liar, and worse, many times before. (The films town is never identified, so it represents any/everywhereas in: this is a cautionary tale that could happen in your very own neighborhood!) Ben Is Back is a 2018 American drama film written and directed by Peter Hedges, and starring Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges and Courtney B. Vance. Although Dolly has an outburst following this incident, she does not find the fresh batch she is looking for. As for Ben, hes 77 days clean. Advertisement: "Ben Is Back" shifts into gear once mom and son leave the house for a trip to the. The journey of Ben and Dolly to find the family canine, Ponce, begins at the house of Mr. Richmond, the history teacher. Furthermore, the crew filmed scenes in Larchmont, an affluent village situated along the Mamaroneck River. The young actor seems to have cornered the market on playing troubled youth, but it is hard to care about his character because Hedges has no range. 'Ben Is Back' | Anatomy of a Scene By Mekado Murphy December 7, 2018 Peter Hedges narrates a scene from his film featuring Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts. Ben's wary mother Holly Burns (Roberts) welcomes her beloved son's return, but soon learns he is still very much in harm's way. A young man talks about having an arrangement with his history teacher for drugs (possible sexual activity is implied). There is also an ominous image of a character who will figure heavily in the story later, especially as mother and son go to some disturbing places seeking catharsis. Ben Is Back Review: A Mother and Son Face the Horrors of Addiction, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/movies/ben-is-back-review.html. We see a photo of a woman wearing a camisole that reveals cleavage. She seems like a woman accustomed to getting her way, not because she is complacent or overly entitled but because she expects the world to recognize the moral authority of motherhood. Although Ben left Ponce in the car outside, Dolly finds Ponce in the place. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Buy Tickets to Ben Is Back: https://www.fandango.com/ben-is-back-213738/movie-overview?cmp=CSYT_YouTube_DescWant to be notified of all the latest clips and behind the scenes footage? Ben has been in rehab since he nearly died after becoming hooked on painkillers resulting from a sports injury, a habit that eventually led to him selling drugs to young people in the neighborhood, incidents that neither Ben, the drug dealers, or the victim's and their families will ever forget. "Bennifer" is officially back! Whereas it appears that a few shots were recorded outside the strip mall as well as the Haas Pharmacy at 62 Orange Turnpike. Ben is Back review - Julia Roberts can't save middling addiction drama Strong performances from the Oscar winner and Lucas Hedges enliven a patchy film about a mother dealing with the return of. Ben takes note that there are no burglars, but at the same time, Ponce is missing. But what if she cant? Recent episodes in Anatomy of a. Add to Cart . "Ben Is Back" hands down is the most emotional movie of the year. The maternal side of Holly tells Ivy and Ben that he may stay for Christmas before going back to rehab, but-. Meanwhile, Ben has relapsed into drugs, and Dolly has to decide whether to part with Ben. Release date: Dec 07, 2018. Hollys parental crisis is also a social crisis. Her tics and her smile are overly familiar, but her performance does work when she is being empathetic. The next scene they're at a gas station with no explanation as to how they got the broken down vehicle there. hockeydabeast413 live feed man in love taiwan movie why did alice leave tattoo fixers cosmetology school lawrence, ks rtgs vs pesalink. A drug addicted teenage boy shows up unexpectedly at his family's home on Christmas Eve. Ive been with you the whole time. Excuse me! The girl at the meeting. And Ben going from cocky and confident to reduced and regressing in age and fearful and apologetic You think Im an idiot. All right. Shes going to get clothes for him. But other scenes are directed with the pure suspense of a thriller. Holly follows Ponce to the barn where she finds Ben unconscious, having taken the drugs from Clayton. The plot follows a mother who tries to help her addict son after he returns home from rehab. - Opioid addiction affects not only the addict but the whole family. All at their highest rate in 40 years. But shes not paying full attention. Just go to our search page or use the search bar, with or without a keyword, from the top navigation menu. A young man speeds away from a gas station leaving his mother inside alone and with no ride. [9] Filming took place in Yonkers, New City, Sloatsburg, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Garnerville, and Haverstraw, New York. Located at 129 Ramapo Road, the affordable diner attracts local crowds through its sheer cooking prowess and an uncomplicated menu. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018, and was theatrically released on December 7, 2018, by LD Entertainment, Roadside Attractions, and Lionsgate. Reproduction of material from any Salon pages without written permission is strictly prohibited. (Particularly so soon after another film about a privileged young addict Beautiful Boy.) Review: 'Ben Is Back' Takes A Wrong Turn Along The Way The first half is a tense, painfully real family drama about the lingering toll of opioid addiction; the second half lurches into thriller . See also Read our parents guide below for details on sexual content, violence & strong language.. Perhaps most notably, the new episodes show Wendy becoming increasingly reckless in her actionsspeaking publicly and repeatedly about her "missing" brother Ben ( Tom Pelphrey ), even though she. Ive been with you the whole time. Excuse me! The girl at the meeting. And Ben going from cocky and confident to reduced and regressing in age and fearful and apologetic You think Im an idiot. All right. If anyone can solve Bens problems can bring Ben back to the sweet, smart, decent boy he used to be its surely his mom. While the director meant to keep the finale subtle, we conclude that Ben is alive. Subscribe to the channel and click the bell icon to stay up to date.US Release Date: December 7, 2018Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas HedgesDirected By: Peter Hedges Synopsis: Follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. He doesnt have the desperation that Timothe Chalamet displayed in Beautiful Boy that made that performance resonate. Meanwhile, Holly goes to Maggie's mom for help, who gives her a med kit for reviving a person who has suffered an overdose and her car keys to go find Ben. #everycopycounts support vendors this winter. Filming took place in the Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club, a country club located at 555 South Barry Avenue at the mouth of the Mamaroneck River. Ben Is Back Ending, Explained: Is Ben Dead or Alive. Ben was written and directed by Peter Hedges and it's clear it was crafted for his son, who stars as the titular troubled young man. It sure feels like it. Read More: Ben Is Back Ending, Explained: Is Ben Dead or Alive? Theyve just come from a 12-step meeting. Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family of Z'Kye Husain, a Black eight-grader who was forcefully detained by Bridgewater Township police officers after a physical. The hamlet in the town of Haverstraw features in several scenes, a highlighted location being Sparkys Diner. Dolly seeks to accept Ben, but Ben has ways to mess things up. She scolds him for getting her son hooked on painkillers after a snowboarding accident when Ben was younger. And it works, mostly. The storyline revolves around Ben Burns, an athlete dealing with opioid addiction. See ratings & reviews at Critics.com. Ben (Lucas Hedges) has no father and has turned to overdependence on prescription medication. While Beths suspicion conditions the audience, Dolly gives saving Ben one last shot. 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