It's astonishing how a so-called indie film like "Ben's at Home" manages to capture the millennial liberal fantasy while inadvertently showcasing the pitfalls of avoiding grown-up responsibilities. Directed by Dan Abramovici and Mars Horodyski, this charming little film hit the scene in 2014, set in the ever-quirky Toronto. It flaunts an absurd plotline where the main character, Ben, chooses agoraphobic withdrawal over adulting decisions like relationships or fulfilling careers.
Imagine, not even two minutes into the movie, Ben is contentedly resigned to his couch-a cottage cheese-stuffed hermit, hiding away in his apartment from life’s rigors. Why do chores and bills when society can accept you just as you are, perpetually stagnant? These aren't profound messages, they're excuses for inaction.
Commitment-phobia Galore: The protagonist, Ben, is painted as a commitment-averse thirty-something who would rather paginate through his pizza-filled night than deal with a reality he fears. He embodies the "I'm-okay-just-as-I-am" mindset instead of heroically confronting life with sensible conservatism.
Fear of Adulting: Seriously, has Ben never heard of a ten-thousand-hours, go-getter-upward-climb type of lifestyle? While the world progresses, here you have Ben lying in his safe cocoon, hoping someone else would pick up the pieces or, better yet, ignore them entirely.
Idealizing Immaturity: How about that notion? The movie romanticizes immaturity, perpetuating the belief that one can just hit pause on life when real-life responsibility knocks at the door.
Fantasizing Fiscal Irresponsibility: You have to laugh at how this film poses like a critique on societal norms, yet it gives the younger audience a pass on fiscal irresponsibility. Yes, Ben is saving on parties and dinners, yet the movie forgets to show us that adult life demands more than Netflix binges.
Dish love: Ben’s comfort with takeout leads into a tiresome plot of him befriending a delivery girl. This interaction becomes a metaphor for the illusion of progress without the burden of growth—a life lesson too expensive to afford.
Mocking the Job Market: Of course, you'd expect Ben to find his passion, explore it, and channel it into a tangible sense of satisfaction. Instead, we see Ben cycling through options, none of which meet his self-indulgent criteria. Much like a non-empathetic job applicant expecting six-figure salaries out of college, he shuns realistic expectations.
Pretentious Interpretation of Freedom: Oh, freedom rings loud as ever here or so it claims. The movie tries to carve a niche where the laid-back life equals liberation. Let’s be real, true freedom comes with a price tag called responsibility.
A Lover’s Tale More Absurd than Romeo and Juliet: The relationship with the delivery girl, Jess, acts as the obligatory ingredient to justify Ben’s seemingly stagnant behavior. But the fit doesn't work naturally; instead, it just goes to show how a haphazardly arranged plot told them so.
Reality Denial: There's an aspect of Ben daydreaming grandiosely while nothing changes, as though 'wishing' were a synonym for 'achieving.' It's fantastic storytelling for the fantasy-seekers and those allergic to work-life realities.
Sense of Self: Finally, the film tries to sell a vague notion of self-discovery without ever dismantling or questioning who the actual 'self' is when laced with sidestepping and false starts. It suggests that knowing who you are requires no accountability or action.
Ben's at Home provides entertainment, sure, but it risks misleading those who view simply remaining stationary as a catalyst for precious life change. For those who see the message in this film, it’s time to swap the couch for the driver’s seat and chase a slice of real-world experience.