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Movies / On DVD / Ben X
Ben X

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Ben X (2008)

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Reviews Counted: 35

Fresh: 23

Rotten:12

Average Rating: 6.2/10

Consensus: Thoughtful and provocative Dutch film concerned with autism, online gaming and bullying, though loses steam in the final act.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:Oct 24, 2008 Limited

Synopsis: Ben is different and his life is a universe all unto itself. He has Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism that prevents normal communication, and while he is a courageous hero—BEN X—in the... Ben is different and his life is a universe all unto itself. He has Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism that prevents normal communication, and while he is a courageous hero—BEN X—in the fantasy on-line gaming world that consumes him, in his daily life Ben is tormented by bullies and ignored by apathetic teachers. As the bullies’ relentless attacks push him over the edge and out of control, his on-line dream girl, Scarlite, appears to him and helps him devise a perfect plan to confront the bullies and make them pay for their torment. Director Nic Balthazar’s dazzling debut blends fantasy and harsh social realism. Based on a true story, Balthazar brings us an utterly original and important film. --© Film Movement [More]

Starring: Greg Timmermans, Marijke Pinoy, Laura Verlinden, Greg Goossen

Starring: Greg Timmermans, Marijke Pinoy, Laura Verlinden, Greg Goossen, Titus De Voogdt, Maarten Claeyssens, Jakob Beks, Gilles De Schryver

Director: Nic Balthazar

Director: Nic Balthazar
Screenwriter: Nic Balthazar, Lou Berghmans
Producer: Peter Bouckaert, Erwin Provoost
Composer: Philippe Ravoet
Studio: Film Movement

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Release:

Mar 10, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region [unknown]
  • Keep Case
  • Widescreen

Audio:

  • (unspecified) English
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Ben X

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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There is a lot to like about this daring drama but the final act pushes the suspension of disbelief to the extreme.

Full Review Source: HollywoodChicago.com | comment Comment
03/26/09
Brian Tallerico
HollywoodChicago.com

Greg Timmermans gives an exemplary performance as the title character, making his withdrawn loneliness a palpable thing.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
03/12/09
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Writer/director Nic Balthazar, adapting his own novel, would fool most as a first time filmmaker, as "Ben X" compellingly pulls one into Ben's world...

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
03/02/09
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

There are lessons to be learned, but rarely have such lessons been transformed into such vivid and emotionally affecting drama.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
02/26/09
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In adapting his novel and subsequent stage play, first-time writer-director Nic Balthazar seems more intent on impressing World of Warcraft gamers than honestly exploring the inner life of the mildly autistic boy at the center of his story.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
02/26/09
Jeff Shannon
Seattle Times

This is a movie specially made for viewers who like a surprise ending.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
02/24/09
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

The film is harrowing, if maybe a bit melodramatic, until it crashes and burns in a feel-good ending.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
12/29/08
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A provocative, exultant stunner.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
12/05/08
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The best movie I've seen about teen angst since Donnie Darko comes from Belgium?

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
11/26/08
Brian Miller
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Flemish dialogue is not the only distinction of Belgian Nic Balthazar's confident, fearless directorial debut.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
11/21/08
Stan Hall
Oregonian

Undeniably a high-level achievement.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
10/24/08
Chad Greene
Boxoffice Magazine

There's not a moment of warmth or ease in Ben X, Nic Balthazar's punishingly cacophonous debut.

comment Comment
10/24/08
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The ending is a letdown, as high-tech media mingles with old-school Christian imagery.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
10/22/08
Anna King
Time Out New York

The best movie I've seen about teen angst since Donnie Darko comes from Belgium?

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
10/22/08
Brian Miller
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Balthazar's aesthetic is ugly, aloof, maddeningly literal and unimaginative.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
10/19/08
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

Ben X boldly melds virtual reality with live-action vérité style and docudrama to create what may be a new film grammar.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
10/18/08
Denis Seguin
Screen International

There's an especially important central theme to this striking teen drama that gives the film a potent urgency.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
08/29/08
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

In short, Ben X is a well made, superbly acted drama with an emotionally engaging script and an important message. Recommended.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/29/08
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

It is based on a successful play and has won festival awards. But its convoluted plot and an ending which we are not sure is real or fantasy prevent it striking home as well as it might.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
08/29/08
Derek Malcolm
This is London

This "issue" movie from Belgian director Nic Balthazar throws a dramatic feint so improbable one can almost see a cartoon question mark floating above the audience's heads.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
08/29/08
Anthony Quinn
Independent
 
 
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