BEN IS BACK (15)

WHO’S IN IT?

Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea), Kathryn Newton (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Courtney B. Vance (Blind Faith), David Zaldivar (film debut), Michael Esper (The Drop), Rachel Bay Jones (film debut), Alexandra Park (12 Feet Deep), Jakari Fraser (film debut)

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

Peter Hedges (Pieces of April), director, writer, producer; Nina Jacobson (Crazy Rich Asians), Teddy Schwarzman (The Imitation Game) and Brad Simpson (Gardener of Eden), producers; Dickon Hinchliffe (Winter’s Bone), composer; Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano), cinematographer; Ian Blume (Drawing Home), editor

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Holly (Roberts) is shocked to learn that her son Ben (Hedges), who is in rehab for a drug addiction, has unexpectedly returned home for Christmas. Although she is delighted to see her son again, she is weary of his potential to slip back into his bad habits, and over the course of a difficult twenty-four hours Holly’s undying love for her son is tested…

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?

Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges – whose father Peter Hedges is the director, writer and producer of this film – give outstanding performances in this grim but bittersweet tale of young drug addiction.

WHEN’S IT OUT?

FRIDAY 15TH MARCH 2019

Search from over ten years of movies here:

Other recent reviews:

Tarot (2024, dirs. Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg)

A group of teenagers find themselves haunted after messing with spiritual tarot cards…

The Idea of You (2024, dir. Michael Showalter)

A 40-year-old single mother begins a relationship with a much younger pop star…

Love Lies Bleeding (2024, dir. Rose Glass)

A gym manager falls in love with an ambitious bodybuilder…

Jericho Ridge (2023, dir. Will Gilbey)

A group of murderous criminals target a remote Sherriff’s Office…

I.S.S. (2024, dir. Gabriela Cowperthwaite)

A group of American and Russian astronauts find themselves up against one another…

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023, dir. Robert Lorenz)

In 70s Ireland, a contract killer goes up against a group of IRA terrorists…

There’s Still Tomorrow (2024, dir. Paola Cortellesi)

In post-war Rome, an abused housewife seeks personal liberation…

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024, dir. Kobi Libii)

A young Black man is recruited into a secretive organisation that betters the lives of White people…

Boy Kills World (2024, dir. Moritz Mohr)

A young deaf-mute man takes revenge against the regime that killed his family…

Ordinary Angels (2024, dir. Jon Gunn)

A hairdresser attempts to help a struggling family…