By José Alberto Hermosillo
Ben is Back,” a heartfelt movie that humanizes the drug-addiction crisis in America and the struggle families have - genuinely revealing.
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| Ben is Back, poster courtesy of Roadside Attractions ©2018 |
A drug-addict teen named Ben, terrifically played by Lucas Hedges (“Boy Erased,” “Lady Bird”), unexpectedly shows up to join his family for Christmas. His young sister Ivy (Kathryn Newton) is in a defensive mood - she knows he will cause trouble even though he is once again out of rehab.
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| Ben is Back, poster. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
The mother Holly Burns, Julia Roberts, will stand by her son no matter what.
Ben unintentionally places his family in danger because of his previous debts. He wants to set the record straight but denies that the temptation is bigger than his will.
We had an engaging conversation at the LA Film School with the writer/director Peter Hedges. He discussed with many aspirant writers and filmmakers the importance to find that story you love because if you dig into it, there is something underneath worth to tell.
When Hedges’ mother was dying of cancer, he was inspired to write “Pieces of April,” his first feature. At that time, Mr. Hedges wrote the story about one of the most significant people in his life. This passion was entirely about his project, his dream, and his mother.
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| Peter Hedges, writer/director Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
When Hedges’ mother was dying of cancer, he was inspired to write “Pieces of April,” his first feature. At that time, Mr. Hedges wrote the story about one of the most significant people in his life. This passion was entirely about his project, his dream, and his mother.
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| Ben is Back, still courtesy of Roadside Attractions ©2018. |
"Ben is Back" is a remarkable film promoting a significant change in our society.
Mr. Hedges goal was to make a movie that could reach as many people as possible and create consciousness about the invisible danger that is killing our youth.
In his own words, “Drug is a faceless antagonist.”
For the director, working with both Julia and his son Lucas was a thrill.
Getting Julia Roberts on board was easy. Great actresses want to play great characters.
In this emotional, character-driven rollercoaster, Ben’s previous lifestyle drives him back to the drug dealers. Unknowingly, he endangers his family. The mother's unbreakable bond won't let her son go, stoically.
Other contemporary films addressing the drugs epidemic in America are “Beautiful Boy” with the great performances of Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carrell. “Winter’s Bone” directed by Debra Granik, with Jennifer Lawrence, a movie that goes straight to the drugs production, distribution, and the violent burning in our society.
Those films show how addiction is not fun anymore. The situation is worsening every day - and the authorities don’t do enough to prevent, treat and rehabilitate people in desperate need, especially the young.
Those films show how addiction is not fun anymore. The situation is worsening every day - and the authorities don’t do enough to prevent, treat and rehabilitate people in desperate need, especially the young.
Julia Roberts hasn’t been that remarkable since “Erin Brockovich.” Young actor Lucas Hedges is passionate about his craft.
Without Oscar pedigree, “Ben is Back” is an essential film to open up the conversation of illegal drugs in America.
Besides the dangers of the drug dealing experience, the insightful film emphasizes the importance of family integration and inclusion as part of the treatment of drug-addiction patients to overcome the obscure scourge in our modern-day society.
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Besides the dangers of the drug dealing experience, the insightful film emphasizes the importance of family integration and inclusion as part of the treatment of drug-addiction patients to overcome the obscure scourge in our modern-day society.
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| Film critic Jose Hermosillo, writer/director Peter Hedges ©2019 Festival in LA |
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