Ben is Back Review

Ben is Back is a good movie with great performances, but pales to last year’s similar and superior Beautiful Boy. This movie is about Ben, a 19-year-old recovering drug addict, who unexpectedly returns home for Christmas. After someone from Ben’s past comes back into his life, Mother and Son’s love for each other is tested as they undergo the hardest night of their lives. Lucas Hedges gives a subdued but great performance. As more is revealed as the movie goes, the more you care about his character. Julia Roberts gives a very good performance, but occasionally plays it too over the top to the point its borderline laughable. Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton both give fine performances in smaller roles. Peter Hedges did a great job directing. He brings this uncomfortable tone to the film that he never lets up. The script is very good, but sometimes Julia Roberts’ character makes decisions that do not make sense and the abrupt ending does not work at all. At 98 minutes the movie moves at a good pace, but does slow down a bit too much during the second act. Overall, Ben is Back is a good movie bolstered by strong performances.

7/10