Ben is Back * *
Films on addiction are actually quite important- and topical - if only because the lives of so many people are touched by this pernicious epidemic. But this film tells a story that is so silly in concept and structure it undermines the credibility it so desperately strives for.
It's about a young man, Ben (Lucas Hedges) who has a serious drug problem. He has been in rehab and unexpectedly comes home for Christmas. What happens in the next twenty four hours is virtually impossible and it is only the extreme manipulation of probability which allows the story to to be told in such a condensed time frame. It also manages to lever in just about every known stereotype in relation to drug addiction. I think it wants you to know it done it's homework and it's really sincere. So get your checklist ready.
When Ben arrives home his Mum (Julia Roberts) runs around in a panic trying to get rid of all the drugs in the house and hide the jewellery (I guess some addicts do take other drugs when desperate and will even steal from their own family, so lets tick the first box and give the film the credit it begs for for pointedly dealing with that issue).
Stepdad comes home and he's none too pleased to see Ben, and his sister isn't too happy either, but they agree to let him stay one night.
Ben decides he'd like to buy presents for everyone. When shopping in the local mall, his mother holds his arm in the manner of a young girl (it looks ridiculous and weird). She comes across the old family Doctor and berates him for once prescribing a pain killer to her son and tells him it's his fault her son is an addict. (Yes, people do become addicted to irresponsibly dispensed pain killers, so tick the next box and give the film the credit it begs for for dealing with that. (Boy these guys are really on top of things!))
At the same time Ben see's an old dealer in the mall which triggers a desperate need. He calls his "sponsor" and is told to get to a meeting now! And just like that, they drive to the church hall and one is taking place. Because group recovery meetings run 24/7 right?
People in recovery meetings can be brutally honest and admit things about themselves. But in a gauchely written scene this film seems to delight in stripping Ben of the real issues to focus on his genitals. (Anyway tick the next box and give 'em the credit they want for showing us Ben being honest, and his shocked but supporting Mum listening to him).
It meanders on with Mum vacillating from a pillar of support to an out of control cop "Don't you fucking lie to me" she screams whilst wagging her finger. They go to the grave yard. "Choose your plot" she says acting so tough and honest. Never mind logic or consistency just give Julia scenes where she can show off. I think she must be hunting for an Oscar with some of these cooked up histrionic scenes. (Yes, addicts lie and die so we'd better tick the next box and give 'em the credit they want for dealing with that too).
Then they go to church where his sister sings and it makes Ben cry (and hopefully the audience I'm sure). Then they get home from church and.......and....and...and...(I must now pause and take a deep breath.)
Okay....... Now, let me ask you a question: What do the audience care about more than any person on the screen? You got it - a puppy! Someone threatening to kill the hero is something we can deal with, but threaten to kill the puppy and you really got the audience on the edge of the seat.
So it is, that in part two of the film some nasty dealers who Ben knew from years ago find out that Ben is back in town and steal the family dog to hold it to ransom because Ben still owes money. (Yes, drug addicts accumulate debts - Tick.)
Ponzy is missing and the family are going nuts. "It's your fault" they nastily tell him. "Yes it is" Ben heroically admits, and goes out in the snow on a hunt for Ponzy with Mum following, but soon they separate as Ben needs to visit the worst of the worst (puppy stealers!) and can't have his Mum with him.
As Ben hunts for Ponzy and Mum looks for Ben we get the impression that in this small town there are more dealers and users than Harlem. Down by the river they stagger around like zombies wrapped in dirty blankets and living in cardboard boxes.
How is mum to find Ben among all this? Sister has a brain wave. "I set up all the phones in the family remember?" She says. Of course, how convenient! (Because Ben, an ex-dealer was happy with his little sister setting up his phone and being able to track him).So now, like an extra from Mission Impossible she can track Ben and Mum on her computer. "Turn left, turn right" she says to Mum over her phone as Mum fearlessly pursues Ben and Ponzy the dog, searching for the ending that gives the film it's title. Oh look, it's just all too much!
Beautiful Boy might have been emotionally disconnected but at least it was believable.
Ben is Back is a clumsy disappointing film that compacts itself into an impossible time line whilst trying to gain credibility by reflecting every dumb-ass stereotype and in so doing kids itself (and some gullible viewers) that it is facing facts about drugs and addiction. In reality it's nothing but a badly plotted overrated drama that functions as a vanity for the actors.
It's about a young man, Ben (Lucas Hedges) who has a serious drug problem. He has been in rehab and unexpectedly comes home for Christmas. What happens in the next twenty four hours is virtually impossible and it is only the extreme manipulation of probability which allows the story to to be told in such a condensed time frame. It also manages to lever in just about every known stereotype in relation to drug addiction. I think it wants you to know it done it's homework and it's really sincere. So get your checklist ready.
When Ben arrives home his Mum (Julia Roberts) runs around in a panic trying to get rid of all the drugs in the house and hide the jewellery (I guess some addicts do take other drugs when desperate and will even steal from their own family, so lets tick the first box and give the film the credit it begs for for pointedly dealing with that issue).
Stepdad comes home and he's none too pleased to see Ben, and his sister isn't too happy either, but they agree to let him stay one night.
 |
| I've read the script. Can I phone it in? |
At the same time Ben see's an old dealer in the mall which triggers a desperate need. He calls his "sponsor" and is told to get to a meeting now! And just like that, they drive to the church hall and one is taking place. Because group recovery meetings run 24/7 right?
People in recovery meetings can be brutally honest and admit things about themselves. But in a gauchely written scene this film seems to delight in stripping Ben of the real issues to focus on his genitals. (Anyway tick the next box and give 'em the credit they want for showing us Ben being honest, and his shocked but supporting Mum listening to him).
It meanders on with Mum vacillating from a pillar of support to an out of control cop "Don't you fucking lie to me" she screams whilst wagging her finger. They go to the grave yard. "Choose your plot" she says acting so tough and honest. Never mind logic or consistency just give Julia scenes where she can show off. I think she must be hunting for an Oscar with some of these cooked up histrionic scenes. (Yes, addicts lie and die so we'd better tick the next box and give 'em the credit they want for dealing with that too).
Then they go to church where his sister sings and it makes Ben cry (and hopefully the audience I'm sure). Then they get home from church and.......and....and...and...(I must now pause and take a deep breath.)
Okay....... Now, let me ask you a question: What do the audience care about more than any person on the screen? You got it - a puppy! Someone threatening to kill the hero is something we can deal with, but threaten to kill the puppy and you really got the audience on the edge of the seat.
So it is, that in part two of the film some nasty dealers who Ben knew from years ago find out that Ben is back in town and steal the family dog to hold it to ransom because Ben still owes money. (Yes, drug addicts accumulate debts - Tick.)
Ponzy is missing and the family are going nuts. "It's your fault" they nastily tell him. "Yes it is" Ben heroically admits, and goes out in the snow on a hunt for Ponzy with Mum following, but soon they separate as Ben needs to visit the worst of the worst (puppy stealers!) and can't have his Mum with him.
As Ben hunts for Ponzy and Mum looks for Ben we get the impression that in this small town there are more dealers and users than Harlem. Down by the river they stagger around like zombies wrapped in dirty blankets and living in cardboard boxes.
How is mum to find Ben among all this? Sister has a brain wave. "I set up all the phones in the family remember?" She says. Of course, how convenient! (Because Ben, an ex-dealer was happy with his little sister setting up his phone and being able to track him).So now, like an extra from Mission Impossible she can track Ben and Mum on her computer. "Turn left, turn right" she says to Mum over her phone as Mum fearlessly pursues Ben and Ponzy the dog, searching for the ending that gives the film it's title. Oh look, it's just all too much!
Beautiful Boy might have been emotionally disconnected but at least it was believable.
Ben is Back is a clumsy disappointing film that compacts itself into an impossible time line whilst trying to gain credibility by reflecting every dumb-ass stereotype and in so doing kids itself (and some gullible viewers) that it is facing facts about drugs and addiction. In reality it's nothing but a badly plotted overrated drama that functions as a vanity for the actors.
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