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Stars: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance, Kathryn Newton, Rachel Bay Jones, David Zaldivar, Alexandra Park, Michael Esper, Tim Guinee, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Kristin Griffith, Jack Davidson, Mia Fowler, Jakari Fraser, Cameron Roberts | Written and Directed by Peter Hedges

Ben is Back, directed by Peter Hedges, faces strong competition in this year’s “Armageddon vs Deep Impact” cinematic war/rivalry against Felix van Groeningen’s Beautiful Boy. Two incredibly alike films that follow a parent and drug-addicted son relationship in the emotionally tormenting journey that both travel on. Peter Hedges film stands firmly on its own ground with a semi-captivating drama that hits with a suffocating gut punch of emotionally draining brutality but gets lost on the path it travels with excessively dramatic plot elements that are executed more in the realm of the absurd than captivating.

The unnecessary plot elements, while not destructive to the films overall narrative or resonance of emotional depth,...

Julia Roberts is making a comeback to the Oscars stage!

The 51-year-old Oscar winner presented the award for Best Picture to Green Book at Sunday night’s award show wearing a hot pink off the shoulder dress.

“Over the course of the evening we’ve seen highlights from eight films nominated for Best Picture,” Roberts said. “Each is unique in the story being told, each is different in its appeal, but they prove once again that regardless of who you are or where you live, these are films that connect us to one another. Once again here are the nominees for Best Picture.

There are quite a number of memorable moments peppered through Ben Is Back, an impressively effective addiction drama written and directed by Peter Hedges, starring his son Lucas Hedges as Ben Burns. All of these moments involve Julia Roberts, who in middle age seems to be finding a new gear in her acting arsenal. Quite plainly, she has never been better than she is here. Watching her flex is a joy, though the proceedings may be quite painful to sit through.

Playing Holly Burns, Roberts is carrying the weight of everything. It is Christmas and her adult son Ben has shown up from sober living unannounced with a worrying smile on his face. Happy though she is with having Ben for the holidays, Holly quickly hides all the pills and jewelry in the house while her daughter Ivy (a great Kathryn Newton) refuses any sort of optimism about the situation,...

Emmy-winner Courtney B. Vance (The People vs. Oj Simpson: American Crime Story) has signed to play opposite Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges in Peter Hedges’ drama, Ben Is Back, which began production today in New York. It follows Ben Burns (Hedges) who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve and is welcomed by his wary mother, Holly Burns (Roberts) who learns that he is still very much in harm's way and must prevent the family's downfall. Vance…...

Exclusive: Alexandra Park is set to join Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges and Kathryn Newton in the drama, Ben Is Back, written Peter Hedges, who is also attached to direct. The film centers on a troubled Ben Burns (Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. Ben's wary mother Holly Burns (Roberts) welcomes her beloved son's return but soon learns he is still very much in harm's way. During the 24 hours that might change their lives forever…...

Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges are set to star in the homecoming drama Ben Is Back.

Peter Hedges (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy) wrote and will direct the feature that takes place over 24 hours, following the charming-but-troubled Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. Ben’s wary mother, Holly Burns (Roberts), welcomes her beloved son, but soon learns that he is still in harm’s way.

Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson's Color Force and Teddy Schwarzman's Black Bear Pictures are producing alongside the elder Hedges. 30West and Black Bear will fully finance...