Ben X (2008)

36 out of 36 people found the following review helpful:

Brilliant!

A Customer from Northamptonshire, England, 3rd January, 2009

Quite simply an amazing film. Almost missed this one but I am so glad I didn't. Don't be put off by the lack of subtitles, if it was dubbed you would lose so much of the acting, which is superb. A real insight into Autism, the world of online gaming and bullying. Very cleverly filmed and, to my surprise, this captivated the whole family from the very start to the startling and unexpected ending. In just one or two places you may wonder what's real and what's fantasy, but that's the point and all becomes clear in the end. Enchanting.

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17 out of 21 people found the following review helpful:

ben x

flimbuff1 from from Sale, 2nd June, 2009

this is not a good flim to ret it is subtiled that maked this flim unwatchable

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12 out of 12 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

A beautiful, poignant and sometimes harrowing portrayal of Asperger Syndrome and the effects of bullying

A Customer from Sheffield, 4th January, 2009

I have a son with Asperger Syndrome and this is the most accurate and powerful on screen portrayal I have seen. Greg Timmerman's acting is fantastic and I could totally identify with the mother. The bullying scenes were harrowing but, for me, the outcome was perfect - making the point without being too painful. Nic Balthazar cleverly emphasizes the point that people frequently take no notice of bullying until it is too late. I've bought the DVD and intend to show it to as many friends and family as possible.

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11 out of 14 people found the following review helpful:

Don't watch it

cossieant from , 19th May, 2009

Very strange film only watched 5 minutes and turned it off!!!!!!! Dont bother.

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2 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Chaotically beautiful

Hailey118 from , 3rd July, 2010

I don't think any film has managed to move me as much as this film did, you really feel an attachment to Ben as you see the troubles that he faces just for being a little 'different' than the rest of the kids at school. Personally, I don't think that the introduction to this film gives it any justice; it raises awareness in a subtle way to the affects of bullying and how much it can destroy someone's life, and it also gives support for those undergoing the same or similar troubles that you can overcome it. However, this wasn't the only reason why I enjoyed this film; the storyline was brilliant and the way it was set out was amazing; it really kept you guessing right until the very end. A true masterpiece in my opinion

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

decent movie

anup from , 11th June, 2010

a very innovative way of storytelling. liked the way the director handles the sensitive issues like autism, bullying etc. Worth a watch.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Very Clever Film

SurfingPenguin from , 9th June, 2010

This film had me pleasantly surprised, there are very subtle things that made this film all the more clever, it makes you start to think about the boundaries of fiction and reality. The film is a well written story and though out u find your self caring more and more for the main character, the twist is a very clever one and one you do not see coming. the only thing i feel is terrible about this film is the pointless second twist that offers nothing to the plot and is just a tedious annoying add in. All that said i recommend this film and think it was very enjoyable.

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1 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Inaccurate and contrived.

sailonby from , 1st March, 2010

I have known two autistic young people and, from my experience, this is not a satisfactory portrayal of Asperger's. Timmermans plays the character more as a boy(?) suffering from 'learning difficulties'. I suppose the computer gaming is supposed to convey Aspberger's but it's a cop-out. If you're going to tackle autism, take the trouble to study your subject and write a script for your lead character to demonstrate it; don't retreat into computer game images (which do nothing to advance the story-line) as a substitute. The end of the film is woefully contrived. Why cast Timmermans as a schoolboy when he looks (and presumably is) about 35?

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