Any Questions for Ben? (2012)

Too much of everything

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The biggest problem with this movie is that it is about nothing that anyone cares about. The main character in the movie is a self-important, wealthy jerk who spends the movie treating those around him like crap and being nasty to the one girl who puts up with it.... and for some reason the movie acts like we are expected to like him.The woman keeps putting up with his crap and emotional mindgames and what have you, and rather than being a deconstruction of the typical rom-com, the movie plays it straight and expects us to cheer and leave with a smile when it reaches its all too predictable ending.None of this would make the movie unwatchable, in and of themselves, no, what makes the movie unwatchable is that it just isn't funny. Most of the so-called 'jokes' fall flat, they are predictable and considering all the cutting edge comedies released over the past few years, it makes this one just seem absolutely pathetic by comparison.Another insult is that the film has all these so-called 'cutting edge' 'hip' bands to play on the soundtrack which just becomes distracting as the songs become gratuitous by playing for way too long. Couple this with pointless shots of Melbourne city and the train line, shots which go on for way too long and serve no narrative function, and you have one of the worst movies to ever come out of Australia.If you wanted to prove to people that Australian cinema was not a joke and was not dying then don't show them this movie, as you would make your own point invalid. What a waste of potential.

My fondness for romantic films drove me to this one. The premise is standard albeit timeless.The film has a good pace, the protagonist Josh Lawson is pretty good as a guy who gets to the right places at the right time. Rachael Taylor is nice too, as are Ben's mates. Some good lines of humour add to the story pace.Australia is shown as a pretty hip place to be (it is!)Where the film seems self-limiting is the chemistry between Ben and Alex. It seems stand-offish. That someone is unwilling to finish off something that has been started is not good enough reason to weave a full story and film.The Yemen proposal scene at the end was at best, clumsy and cheesy. Lacked the chutzpah the early part of the film had.If chief failure seems to be its limp ending. Its almost like bad sex. Seems promising at the start; you don't mind the experience but really wish it was better.

I have been waiting for a good Aussie movie that does not make Australia to look like a population of outback hicks. This movie was done well and promoted a feel good mood, while it is not going to be a block buster, it did point out that Australia is a great place to live. Great job with the casting as well, Josh Lawson and Rachael Taylor played very convincing roles.This was a light hearted feel good movie that I would heartily recommend, great job! Melbourne was included in some fantastic night and day shots which showed it for the great city it is.But the main feature for me was how well the whole movie came together, and I particularly liked the humor in the ending credits.

I don't normally write any reviews but felt I had to for this one, Any Questions for Ben is a beautiful film that is LOL...... Great performances by all the cast especially Josh and Rachel, a surprise was to see how great Felicity Ward is, as she is a stand up comedian, but with a brilliant script, and lovely direction she grounds the film. Any Questions For Ben looks gorgeous, beautifully shot with Melbourne being shown as the international destination that it is.... It is a warm and funny film......With fabulous music.. Go see it for yourselves.... Stay for the hysterical scene at the end while the credits go through I was sore from laughing.....