The Benefactor (2015)

Memorable, crazy movie

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Wow, i didn't know Richard Gere could play such a creep. he really carries this movie. people are right about if House wasn't funny, he'd be this guy. This movie is really about what can happen when guilt can consume you and your feeling to redeem yourself turns into obsession. If i'm being honest, on the film alone, it's a 5, but i added points for 3 superb actors: Gere, Theo James, and of course Dakota Fanning. I'm definitely in the camp of people asking how Fanning hasn't won an oscar yet, but when she chooses film like this, where she's not really important, you see why. only knowing James from the 'underwold' and divergent' franchises, this movie is a great way to showcase his acting. (not that he's bad in the other films at all) i think if you go into the film realistically, that it's actually a character study on richard gere's character, you'll actually find it quite good. it unfortunately wasn't marketed that way, thus the disappointed reactions.

The Benefactor is a small drama with a decent cast. Sometimes these kind of movies are really engrossing but unfortunately this one although not terrible isn't memorable. Richard Gere plays a Philanthropist haunted by the death of his friends and wanting to relive his past and make amends at the same time. He therefore sets out to help his friends daughter and her new husband. Although Gere is a good actor his character in this film just comes across as unlikeable. This therefore stops any sympathy you have for him and effectively ends much interest in the film. I thought Theo James did a good job as the husband but Dakota Fanning is woefully under used. At times this is mildly interesting so it wasn't a complete write off but towards the end it sags badly and the rushed ending is highly unsatisfactory. Unless you're a huge fan of any of the actors I'd give this one a skip. This probably worth a 5 but I'll up it to a 6 just for the shock scene near the start.

I wanted to see this film because I really like Dakota Fanning movies and Richard Gere movies. I think most people do. But don't let that lure you in. This is absolute garbage. I can't believe someone actually published this! I can't believe Dakota Fanning and Richard Gere agreed to do this. They must have been paid a lot of money because I don't think anyone would like this writing, it is the worst ever! Dakota is not actually in the film much. The direction is also very bad. It is a pretty lame and boring story but it could have been told much better. I'm sure the producers didn't know how terrible it was going to turn out and we're obligated to publish to recover investment. This is an embarrassment on the careers of Dakota and Richard. Don't waste your time on this one! I wish I hadn't lost that hour and half!

Forget that this is his first major feature film, Andrew Renzi's directorial debut is on a par with Polanski, Jarmusch, and Scorsese! The pacing is excellent, the dialogue is fluid and the story is captivating and unpredictable. Even the casting is spot on bringing new life to some familiar faces - this could be Gere's Pulp Fiction. Mr. Renzi's fingerprints are all over this feature however the biggest crime is that we have not seen more from him. Clearly he is a methodical and selective craftsman. If this is Andrew Renzi's first time at bat then I can't wait to see what he does next! This is very clear foreshadowing of him becoming the next great Italian-American writer/director/producer - Look out Hollywood! TEG