One problem with Ben Is Back is that it cannot find the right tone. Theres this dangerous something coursing through him. Ben (Lucas Hedges) has no father and has turned to overdependence on prescription medication. It is a big BUT uttered from Holly's tough love side. Holly follows in her car, finding Ben in a nearby neighborhood. She was seen attending a cast dinner with both Lopez and Rodriguez in 2019 before the "Hustlers" star hosted the late-night sketch show. A young man speeds away from a gas station leaving his mother inside alone and with no ride. 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. Subscribe to learn more about the movies you love! Bens a charmer and a talkerhell burst into a silly song to amuse the little onesand its clear that hes trying strenuously, as well, to make his return a happy one. Read More: Ben Is Back Ending, Explained: Is Ben Dead or Alive? Add to Cart . Unlike the MPAA we do not assign one inscrutable rating based on age but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE & LANGUAGE on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest depending on quantity & context |more|, Print a page, share with friends, and yes, please go ahead and email links. Returning from Ivy, Liam, and Laceys performance at the Christmas choir, they find that the room has been broken in. And hes with his mother Holly, played by Julia Roberts. A young man says that he got a young woman hooked and we understand that she is dead. From Spider, Dolly knows about the hideout in exchange for the drugs Dolly retrieved from Ben at the shopping mall. A drug addicted teenage boy shows up unexpectedly at his family's home on Christmas Eve. I dont think Ben is Back hangs together perfectly but there were times I forgot to breathe for a second or three. The spacious house is bustling with excitement and preparations for the kids performances at Christmas Eve mass. Rated R But on the plus side, Ben is natural with Liam and Lacey, although his seemingly benign song conceals a neurotic outburst. His sister and stepfather are, however, deeply. How much more damage will he do, to them and to himself? 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. 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. Director Peter Hedges Writer Peter Hedges Stars Julia Roberts Lucas Hedges Courtney B. Vance See production, box office & company info Watch on HBO Max with subscription More watch options Add to Watchlist 145 User reviews 162 Critic reviews 66 Metascore Awards - Opioid addiction affects not only the addict but the whole family. But what if she cant? In this all new movie we find Morticia . - About 31 F-words and its derivatives, 22 scatological terms (1 mild), 3 anatomical terms, 2 mild obscenities, name-calling (liar, phony, stupid, junkie, drug addict), exclamations (shut-up, freaking out), 4 religious profanities, 19 religious exclamations (e.g. All rights reserved. Meanwhile, Ben has relapsed into drugs, and Dolly has to decide whether to part with Ben. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. And she thinks shes covered all the tracks. He is entirely credible as an almost-grown man whose credibility has virtually collapsed, who is in a constant state of war with himself. And then he reminds her, no, she didnt check everything. Add a gift receipt for easy returns. A young man talks about people in a car flatulating repeatedly. But this is one of those rare Hollywood movies that keeps you guessing, where you dont see the ending coming 20 minutes in. See production, box office & company info, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Julia Roberts/Patrick Wilson. A young man tells another young man, "I thought you were dead." A woman pounds on a fitting room door and yells obscenities at her son behind the door before they are asked to leave the store. But the performances remain uniformly strong and hold the story together, even as it threatens to spin out of control. Shes always worried. Theres this dangerous something coursing through him. A woman takes her son to a cemetery and asks him where he wants to be buried. And Ben has a secret. 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. A woman hands her son a cup and tells him to provide a urine sample for drug testing; she looks away and tells him that she wont look at his privates (we see him from the back with nothing seen or heard). [Peter and Lucas Hedges never meant to make a movie together.]. It enlivens a moralizing tough-love scene, as when Holly takes her son to a cemetery and asks him to pick out a burial site because he will soon be dead if he doesnt change. 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. Just go to our search page or use the search bar, with or without a keyword, from the top navigation menu. At the same time, a monologue Hedges delivers when Ben shares at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting is a powerful example of this young actors range, from swagger to introspection and, ultimately, regret. While Dolly finds the cell phone, there is no whereabouts of Ben. [10], In July 2018, LD Entertainment, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate acquired distribution rights to the film, which they released on December 7, 2018. Vance, as the skeptical stepdad, takes a thinly-written role and makes it meatier. The film received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Hedges and Roberts, but grossed just $12 million against its $13 million budget. Since Mr. Richmonds wife had cancer, he could get all the prescription drugs. Shes going to get clothes for him. The film opens as he returns from his stint at rehab on Christmas Eve. The storyline revolves around Ben Burns, an athlete dealing with opioid addiction. But shes not paying full attention. Its not as interesting narratively or as relatable emotionally. A young man says, "You're still scared of me," to his family. How much should my pay rise to beat inflation? Just as his performance in Boy Erased failed to convince he was struggling with his sexuality, Hedges never seems to be truly fighting addiction here. Ben Is Back (2018) - Filming & Production - IMDb Ben Is Back (2018) Filming & Production Showing all 3 items Jump to: Filming Locations (3) Filming Locations Edit Sloatsburg, New York, USA (Hayward's Market, Super Seven store) 14 of 15 found this interesting New York, USA 6 of 6 found this interesting USA Is this interesting? The cast and crew spent a significant amount of time in the Hudson Valley region. Let us now take you to the specific locations where the movie was lensed. Hollys parental crisis is also a social crisis. But hes also apprehensive about going into certain rooms in the houselike the attic, where he used to stash his drugsfor fear of the memories theyll conjure. When Ben heads out on foot to locate Ponce, Dolly thinks it is good to go with Ben. In the place, Dolly finds Ben almost dead. Abruptly leaving Dolly behind, Ben goes to Claytons place. A young man says that his mother found him upside down on the stairs with a needle in his arm and that his dog was trying to keep him awake. 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 unleashes all her anger at this sick old man, who clearly has dementia an unflinching scene that feels real and raw in its emotional incorrectness. It is hard to believe anything Ben says when he arrives or opens his mouth. Dec 21, 2018. All of which leaves Bens mother, Holly (Julia Roberts), in an agonizing position. Bens sister, Ivy (Kathryn Newton), wants him gone. Shes thrilled and terrified, and the brilliantly expressive Roberts makes both of those sensations visible simultaneously. Im Peter Hedges, writer and director of Ben Is Back. Ben Burns, played by Lucas Hedges, comes home unexpectedly on Christmas Eve Day. And she thinks shes covered all the tracks. 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. [12], According to the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 221 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. Shes going to get clothes for him. On the other hand, Ford Wheeler, the set decorator of Stranger Than Fiction fame, took up the role of production designer in the movie. The moments between Ben and Holly talking in the kitchen or tackling crowds at the mall during some last-minute shopping are the films strongest. But Anastasia can be easily confused, I guess, so asks for a clear roadmap. Holly sees Ben standing on the porch on her way back from the church with children Liam, Lacey, and Ivy. Inline image. Putin's forces in November pulled out of key positions, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops led a counteroffensive targeting . Ben, unexpectedly home from rehab, scares almost everyone. After looking for Ben all night, Holly is overwrought and goes to a police station. A young man says, "The last time I didn't help someone, they died." The production unit lensed several exterior scenes along Lake Avenue and Nepperhan Avenue, Central Park Avenue, and Mildred Street. Following Claytons order, Ben agrees to do the job, sticking several belts of drugs onto his body. These scenes are the most engaging, but that may be because they are action-oriented, and the characters have finally stopped freakin talking about their problems. And hes with his mother Holly, played by Julia Roberts. See also And thats especially clear when he runs into people from his past. US Release Date: December 7, 2018 Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges Directed By: Peter Hedges Synopsis: Follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Hedges), who returns home to his. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe. As a young man and his mother drive past houses, he points a house where he "used," and one that he robbed. All rights reserved. And then watching how she can, on a dime, flip from the happy mom to panicked mom and fierce mom Where did you get this? (But were still going to focus on the sad rich, straight, young white guys.). While maintaining the unity of action and time, the movie also features a lot of outdoor locations. After pressure from her husband, she insists she will stick to Ben for the next 24 hours. Ben Is Back SUBSTANCE USE - A woman puts prescription medications from a medicine cabinet in a bag and hides them in a closet, a young woman tells a young man that he was her dealer, many people using drugs stand around barrel fires and seem high, a young man delivers money to a drug dealer and returns to another dealer with drugs (the dealer tastes the drugs and gives the delivery person a . ben is back mall scene "Bennifer" is officially back! He tells Holly he needs to go to a support group meeting, where he later shares the story of how he almost overdosed, but was saved by his mom and the family dog, Ponce. The film highlights many shades of Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges central roles, Holly and Ben. Photograph: Doane Gregory/AP These colors don't run. And then theres Julia Roberts. In contrast, an episode where Holly vomits after piecing together what Ben did to get his history teachers Oxycontin is a bit much. A young man talks about having an arrangement with his history teacher for drugs (possible sexual activity is implied). business Retail. Ben goes with mother, stepdad (Courtney B. Vance) and siblings to an evening church service, at which his sister (Kathryn Newton) is the featured singer, despite an apparent inability to sing in. At other times she wonders if her sons addiction is her fault. Hollywood films about addiction tend to be tasteful, well-meaning awardsy dramas. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Ben Is Back: Trailer 1 2:25 Added: October 11, 2018. At the mall another kid cheerfully greets him with Dude, I thought you were dead. At church he sees the mother of a girl who overdosed after he got her hooked. 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. They start in very different places from where they end up. Move sliders from 0-10 in any combination, check and uncheck MPAA ratings and use keywords to further filter results -- please let us know what you think. A woman hands her son a cup and tells him to provide a urine sample for drug testing. A woman tells another woman, "You can't help them. Surprises? Sequels! [14], Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society Awards, "Making of 'Ben Is Back': How Director Peter Hedges Convinced His Reluctant Son Lucas to Star", "Julia Roberts And Lucas Hedges Team For Black Bear & 30WEST-Backed 'Ben Is Back', "Courtney B. Vance Joins Julia Roberts & Lucas Hedges In 'Ben Is Back', Julia Roberts project, filmed in Rockland, gets positive reviews, "Julia Roberts Drama 'Ben Is Back' Acquired By LD Entertainment, Lionsgate & Roadside", "Toronto: Timothee Chalamet Starrer 'Beautiful Boy,' Dan Fogelman's 'Life Itself' Among Festival Lineup", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Is_Back&oldid=1132753122, Best Performance by an Actor 23 and Under, David Zaldivar as Spencer "Spider" Webbs, a drug addict and one of Ben's old friends, Jack Davidson as Dr. Crane, husband of Alzheimer female, Mia Fowler as Lacey Burns-Beeby, Holly and Neal's 10-year-old daughter and Ben and Ivy's little half-sister, Jakari Fraser as Liam Burns-Beeby, Holly and Neal's 6-year-old son and Ben and Ivy's little half-brother, This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 11:23. They search for Ponce together to no avail. Check out the new movie clip for Ben Is Back starring Lucas Hedges! She tracks down Spencer, giving him drugs she had confiscated from Ben earlier, in exchange for him telling her where he might be. When the title character shows up early in Ben Is Back just before Christmas, at his familys big house in a suburban town north of New York City the mood tilts from domestic drama toward domestic horror. The plot follows a mother who tries to help her addict son after he returns home from rehab. Ben is Back. 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. 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. [9] Filming took place in Yonkers, New City, Sloatsburg, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Garnerville, and Haverstraw, New York. 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. Menu. 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. Regardless, Hedges plants all kinds of details that are meant to pay off later but fail to deliver any real impact. Not added . People and institutions doctors, police officers and pharmacists, as well as her kids are supposed to listen, and to accede to her wishes. Ben Is Back NYT Critic's Pick Directed by Peter Hedges Drama R 1h 43m By A.O. As for Ben, hes 77 days clean. 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. She agrees lets him stay for 24 hours only if he does not leave her sight. We welcome suggestions & criticisms -- and we accept compliments too. Lucas as Ben has this rich inner life at the beginning of the scene. This time will be different. The plot follows a mother who tries to help her addict son after he returns home from rehab. He has been to rehab a few times, and his return brings more menace than peace for the family of Dolly Burns (Julia Roberts), her second husband, Neal Beeby, and the family. Clayton, according to Ben, is a dangerous person, and Ben is not ready to risk Dollys life when he meets Clayton. Newton is quite good, too, as the familys voice of reason. Clayton is not convinced by what Ben has to offer, and Ben has to do another job for Clayton if he wants to take Ponce back. While holiday shopping at the mall, Holly runs into Ben's former doctor, now an old man with dementia. But everywhere he goes hes confronted by life as an addict. Its here that the film starts leaking suspense. That evening, the family returns home from church to find that someone has broken into their home and taken Ponce. Furthermore, the crew filmed scenes in Larchmont, an affluent village situated along the Mamaroneck River. Now, you may wonder where the film was shot. Ben completes the mission and gets Ponce back, but Clayton also gives him some drugs in return. THE ASSIGNED NUMBERS "Ben is Back," written and directed by Peter Hedges and starring his son, Lucas Hedges, is one of two recent films on teen addiction starring the most talented young actors of the moment (" Beautiful Boy " starred Timothee Chalamet.) But their journey is neither as harrowing nor as emotionally draining as the filmmaker thinks it is. Hedges fares even worse. Lucas Hedges, like Timothe Chalamet in Beautiful Boy, the seasons other alliteratively titled tale of a young man fighting a drug habit, deftly captures the nuances of this condition. Let us get to the ending. And you will be helping support our website & our efforts. Claytons place this rich inner life at the mall during some last-minute shopping are the films.! With her son to a cemetery ben is back mall scene asks him where he wants to be tasteful, well-meaning dramas... And Laceys performance at the mall another kid cheerfully greets him with Dude, I guess, so for... 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