Ben Is Back (Peter Hedges, December 7,2018) Movie

Directed and written by Peter Hedges (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”), the film follows Ben Burns (Hedges), a recovering 19-year-old addict who unexpectedly returns to his mother’s house on Christmas Eve. Ben’s mother, Holly (Roberts), is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and Holly is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe.

Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton also star.

 

very on board for this

 

This was absurd.

 

What do you mean?

 

The writing, jolting tonal shift, some of the depictions of addicts/addiction, etc.

 

Hmm just watched this. It was...weird I guess. I don’t think it really knew what it wanted to be. I thought Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges were pretty good though. The first half of this I thought was great. The second half is real dumb.

 

My wife and I really liked it

 

Just watched Beautiful Boy the other day. Want to see this now.

 

On Hulu

 

The first half is decent - nothing amazing, but not bad. The second half takes a hard left turn into crazytown.