Julia Roberts who is playing Holly Burns in director Peter Hedges Ben is Back had a request regarding casting of the film. She wanted Lucas Hedges to play the title role in the film.
When asked Lucas Hedges about working with Peter Hedges, he says, “For my entire life, I’ve always made it clear to my dad that I would never act in a movie of his. “The thought of doing it has always made me really uncomfortable because it just seemed awkward and weird. I knew my dad was making this movie but I didn’t even know there was a part for a person my age — although he later told me he wrote it for me.”
Lucas also found inspiration closer to home. “Some of my best friends from high school have been living Ben’s life: going in and out of rehab, struggling” he says. “When I was growing up, a lot of kids were being prescribed Adderall and other drugs that they had no business taking on a daily basis. So I already knew drug use among teenagers was a huge thing in Brooklyn. What I didn’t realize was that it is just as prevalent, if not more, in suburban and rural parts of America.”
When asked about working with Julia Roberts, he says,” When I found out that Julia Roberts wanted me to play Ben in this movie, it was crazy. She seemed like somebody from a far-off land. The fact that she wanted me to act with her was incredibly flattering. Then I read the script and I was really blown away by it.”
Nineteen-year-old Ben Burns unexpectedly returns to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve. Ben’s mom, Holly, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son’s drug addiction. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother’s undying love gets put to the test as Holly does everything in her power to keep Ben clean.
Ben is Back is written and directed by Peter Hedges. The film also stars Lucan Hedges, Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton apart from Julia Roberts. The film will be released in India by PVR Pictures on December 14, 2018.