American drama ‘Ben Is Back’ released on December 7 has received some pretty fair reviews from critics worldwide. It has been especially appreciated for commendable performances by Lucas Hedges playing a drug addict and Julia Roberts playing the drug addict’s mother.

The film revolves around the lives of the Burns family and how their lives transform in a matter of just twenty-four hours after Ben’s reappearance. Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges) has come back home unannounced for Christmas after staying in the rehab due to his addiction problem.

His mother Holly burns (Julia Roberts) is on top of the world after Ben’s return. She has received the best gift for the season however there’s also a tinge of chilling fear and concern for him. Why? It’s because Ben has the habit of relapsing and ruining the holidays and thus things can change in the next twenty-four hours. The rest of the family are weary and skeptical of his return.

Ben’s stepfather Neal played by Courtney B Vance appears as a tough parent however it is him who is paying for Ben’s rehabilitation. During the Christmas Mass, Ben sees Beth who is the mother of an old girlfriend of his, a girl who was introduced to the world of drugs by him. After the mass when the Burns return home they discover their house broke open, the door smashed, the Christmas Tree knocked down and their pet dog ‘Ponce’ missing. The hunt for Ponce is on and from here the movie takes a different direction altogether.

The movie goes back in time at regular intervals throwing surprises at the events that have taken place in the past, a period when Ben was a different person as a dealer. As a mother Holly discovers certain things about her son that no parent would like to know. Certain scenes when Ben was in his worst period of addiction have been touched upon but not completed. This has been left to the audience’s imagination. So what were the disturbing things that Holly discovered about Ben’s past? Who was Ben back then?

This emotional drama has been crafted by Peter Hedges who is none other than Lucas Hedges own father. The movie tests a mother’s love for her child and depicts how drug addiction affects families. The flick has already hit screens and could send parents and children alike an important message this Christmas season.

Don’t miss the official trailer of ‘Ben Is Back’ below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkkgG_jhYQk