The story of Ben Is Back- certainly one of the best works by Peter Hedges - structures its narrative in a space of 24 hours.
Time enough for the arrival of the eldest son of Julia Roberts’ character, a drug-addicted teenager named Ben, to shake domestic peace. A whole day for a whole family to remove their dark areas to the point where their own lives are in danger.
One of the best performances in Julia Roberts' career
It is ultimately the time that takes the story to test the unconditional love of a mother for her child, while she does everything possible to get him away from the consequences of addiction. A disease with the permanent consequences old wounds unhealed leave.
Besides Roberts’ performance, this drama is driven by the great performance of Lucas Hedges. Playing Ben, the son of the film’s director shows why he is one of the most talented young actors nowadays.
Ben Is Back is, in short, an intimate look at a mother who struggles to protect her son from himself.
