Peter Hedges has been slowly building is portfolio of works while trying to bring focus to the everyday struggles of the average American family. Guiding Steve Carell in Dan in Real Life (2007), Hedges brought a lighthearted, yet touching story about a widowed father trying to raise three girls. In The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012), Hedges brought a story of love, hope and magic to a couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) who wonder what life with a child will be like. In each of these cases, moviegoers fell in love with what these stories brought to the forefront. In the end, love conquers all. Now Hedges embarks on a darker family story as Ben is Back promises to deal with some very ugly, but real, family problems.
On Christmas Eve, a time for love, reflection and family, Holly (Julia Roberts) and Neal (Courtney B. Vance) are looking forward to a holiday of love and happiness with the family when an unexpected guest returns home. When Ben (Lucas Hedges), who has been away at a recovery facility, waltzes back into their lives unannounced. His mother, Holly, is excited beyond words to see him but she also has her guard up. The same can be said for the rest of the family but they’re probably more skeptical than Holly. Ben has done this family a lot of harm while fighting his drug addiction. That can’t stop a mother’s unwavering love for a son.
While Ben seems to be on the up and up, there are some small signs that all is not well in paradise. Holly is conflicted between loving her son unconditionally and giving him the tough-love treatment that the rest of the family feels he needs. Ben is Back fights tooth and nail for your emotional investment and does a great job in keeping it. Let the emotional outpouring begin.
Lucas Hedges continues to dazzle in his young career. And under the tutelage of his father, director/writer Peter Hedges, Lucas has never shined so brightly. He has already been nominated for an Oscar in Manchester by the Sea (2016) and shined in his role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), but his performance in Ben is Back is one of wonder. He puts forth a magnificent effort that surely deserves award consideration. All of his struggles will feel like the audience’s struggles as well. And his co-star, Julia Roberts gives equal screen presence as a mother hurting while wanting to be their for her son but also wanting him to get better.
It’s the moral conflict in Ben is Back that will tug on your heartstrings. The first thought is to love unconditionally, but for anyone who has dealt with this terrible affliction firsthand, that is not always the answer. While not being based on an exact true story, countless families and friends have been a part of stories just as this one. And I imagine that they felt just as helpless as you will while watching these events unfold. This story is truly engaging and will stir up a ton of emotions while watching it. Please, see this one in theaters and bring some tissues.
