“Ben Is Back” is a drama film released in 2018. The movie follows Holly Burns (Julia Roberts), a mother whose son Ben (Lucas Hedges) unexpectedly returns home on Christmas Eve after spending time in rehab for drug addiction. Holly is overjoyed to have her son back, but she soon realizes that he is not completely recovered and is still struggling with addiction. As Holly tries to help her son and keep him away from temptation, she is forced to confront the demons of her own past and make difficult decisions to keep her family together.
Review:
“Ben Is Back” is a heart-wrenching drama that tackles the devastating impact of drug addiction on families. The performances by Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges are outstanding, with both actors bringing depth and nuance to their roles. The direction by Peter Hedges (who also wrote the screenplay) is powerful and unflinching, and he handles the difficult subject matter with sensitivity and care. The film is emotionally charged and will leave audiences moved and contemplating the struggles of addiction.
Awards:
“Ben Is Back” was not a major award contender, but it received positive critical acclaim. Lucas Hedges was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and the movie was nominated for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival.
Popularity:
“Ben Is Back” received positive reviews from critics but was a box office disappointment, grossing only $10 million worldwide. The film has a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb and a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its lack of commercial success, “Ben Is Back” remains a poignant and powerful exploration of addiction and family, and it is a must-see for anyone who has been affected by these issues.
Directed by | Peter Hedges |
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Produced by | Nina Jacobson Brad Simpson Teddy Schwarzman Peter Hedges |
Written by | Peter Hedges |
Starring | Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance, |
Music by | Dickon Hinchliffe |
Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
Edited by | Ian Blume |
Production companies |
Black Bear Pictures 30West Color Force |
Distributed by | LD Entertainment Roadside Attractions Lionsgate |
Release date | September 8, 2018 (TIFF) December 7, 2018 (United States) |
Running time | 103 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $13 million |
Box office |
$12.6 million |