Ben X (2007)

Undescribable Perfection

Absolutely the worst movie.

A Major Disappointment

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

In his debut, Nic Balthazar skillfully mixes different social topics: addiction to video games, autism and also school bullying. Even though its scenes are sometimes excessive, Ben X is both a visual and a psychological punch. The video game universe provides Ben with a perfect shelter in which he finds the strength to continue living in real life. Also, this addiction will help him to do some discoveries and encounters. The many connections established between reality and the game are relevant. At the end, the film leads to wonder where the limits between reality and fiction are and it also shows that a video game can have both negative and positive consequences in the real world. Nic Balthazar cleverly mixes these two universes in order to get a hyperrealist and moving result that portrays a merciless world that constantly reject those who are different. Full review on our blog Los Indiscretos : https://losindiscretos.org

Being a professionally diagnosed aspie myself, there were several details and traits amongst this film that really contrasted my own personal experiences in dealing with the general public and their mass confusion towards mentally-inept differences that millions of other Asperger-diagnosed individuals like myself face daily. Truth be told, I felt as if I were watching myself throughout the entire presentation. This little Nederlandic/Belgium-based film touched upon so many similar experiences to my own, it was mystifying and immediately familiar to witness what our protagonist had to endure throughout the film. Let it be no surprise that this way-underrated gem has inspired and motivated me like no other Asperger-based film thus far. Hollywood still has an awful lot of work to do in order to truly convey the mind and personality of an introvert with such honesty and determined "high-end-functioning autism" ethos. Kudos to Nic Balthazar for writing and directing an honest portrayal of the sublime tension and utmost agony in which different-yet-the-same peers of my own endure regularly. Just because we don't smile all the time doesn't mean we aren't smiling on the inside. Forget "Mozart & The Whale", "Adam", even "Rain Man" doesn't quite hold a torch up to this film. I believe "Ben X" truly defines a generation of misunderstood savants yearning for affection by any means necessary. I strongly urge anyone to watch this movie at least once. You will most notably understand Aspergers Syndrome better and respect those who are diagnosed with it more so than ever before. Do yourself a favor: get over your dislike of subtitles and watch this movie NOW. I encourage everyone & anyone to watch. For our sake. Thanks for your consideration.

I caught this on TV, and what got my attention was that it involved online gaming, since I'm a gamer, I stayed and watched it thinking it was a fantasy movie. At first I thought it was weird (well, it was different, but in a good way). This movie is beautiful, it has great soundtrack and the actor playing Ben is amazing. There have been many movies about Asperger's syndrome lately, but this gave us a whole new perspective of a boy living in Belgium, hiding behind an online game character. I would love to see it again, but it hasn't been on TV again and I can't find it in Mexico. This is one of my favorite movies lately, you have to watch it there are no words to really describe the feeling of watching it.

I was shocked. It's so very touching, sensible, hard, beautiful, soft... It deserve a vote bigger, larger, greater than 10! Extroardinary performances, script, message!The actors are complete unknown for me! But, again, notoriety is not equal to talent! I hope that the viewer of this movie, will take a greater responsibility in their children education. Ben's classmates may be any kids from school. It's just the flock effect. Hopeffuly, after this movie, you will try and successfully you will make your children to think for themselves, with their own brain and heart.Like his father said: "his problem were people, not his illness" And there are many other examples who sadly... died.