Benjamin
Benjamin

Benjamin

2019Movie85 minEnglish

Benjamin, a rising star filmmaker, is on the brink of premiering his difficult second film No Self at the London Film Festival when Billie, his hard drinking publicist, introduces him to a mesmeric French musician called Noah.

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Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes73%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users73%
Director: Simon AmstellGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A seemingly confident filmmaker finds his world turned upside down when he meets a charismatic musician and begins to question his own identity and relationships. As he navigates the complexities of love and self-discovery, his carefully constructed facade starts to crumble.

Critical Reception

Benjamin received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who often praised its unique blend of humor and melancholy, as well as Amstell's introspective and honest portrayal of his protagonist. Some found the film's deliberate pacing and awkwardness to be a strength, reflecting the protagonist's own discomfort, while others felt it occasionally verged on self-indulgence.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp wit and uncomfortable, yet relatable, exploration of modern anxieties.
  • Simon Amstell's directorial debut is noted for its distinctive voice and unconventional approach to romantic comedy.
  • Some critics found the film's introspective nature to be a bit too navel-gazing at times.

Google audience: Audience reviews largely appreciated the film's quirky humor and the authentic, albeit awkward, portrayal of its main character. Many viewers connected with the themes of self-doubt and the search for love.

Fun Fact

Simon Amstell, known for his stand-up comedy and television work, wrote, directed, and starred in 'Benjamin' as a semi-autobiographical exploration of his own life and relationships.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I really did want to like this - but I wasn't really given anywhere near enough meat on the bones of the story or the characters to het to know. The comedy is pretty thin on the ground and the underlying storyline is clichéd and muddles lov...
SWITCH.

SWITCH.

‘Benjamin’ is an enjoyable rom-com, filled with equal amounts of sweet moments and tense ones. - Chris dos Santos Read Chris' full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-benjamin-gay-dramedy-tugs-at-the-heartstrings...