Julia Roberts plays a mom whose son returns unexpectedly from a drug rehab on Christmas Eve, promising a 24 hour roller ride as she endeavors to keep him clean. The melodrama plays out smoothly enough thanks to director-writer Peter Hedges (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” 1993), who got sterling performances from Roberts and Lucas Hedges as her 19-year-old son. The picture at least seemed believable to those of us in the audience not familiar with drug addiction.
“Ben is Back” also starred Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Bay Jones, David Zaldivar, and Alexandra Park. This watchable independent production was distributed by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions.
Ben is Back (2018)
cinema
My Review
Julia Roberts plays a mom whose son returns unexpectedly from a drug rehab on Christmas Eve, promising a 24 hour roller ride as she endeavors to keep him clean. The melodrama plays out smoothly enough thanks to director-writer Peter Hedges (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” 1993), who got sterling performances from Roberts and Lucas Hedges as her 19-year-old son. The picture at least seemed believable to those of us in the audience not familiar with drug addiction.
“Ben is Back” also starred Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Bay Jones, David Zaldivar, and Alexandra Park. This watchable independent production was distributed by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions.