THE BENEFACTOR
Cert 15
93 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, drug use, self-harm
As much as January is a great time to watch the movies which are in contention during awards season, the end of February and March are usually punctuated by dross.
A prime example is The Benefactor which will be among those films which will scarcely live a week in the memory.
Neither Mrs W nor I could see the point of Andrew Renzi's picture despite a very strong opening in which tragedy befalls the two best friends of the lead character (Richard Gere).
Gere plays an ultra-rich philanthropist who is also a manic depressive - outwardly loud and jolly but dark and lost when alone.
He becomes obsessed with helping his friends' pregnant daughter (Dakota Fanning) and her doctor husband (Theo James) but his initial light-touch aid becomes creepy interference and there is even a hint that he has the hots for the latter.
Gere is easily the best feature of The Benefactor. He shows a range of emotion which even outweighs that shown in An Officer And A Gentleman.
Disappointingly, however, there is nothing more to recommend The Benefactor because its plot is so feeble and is ending is so inappropriately neat.
It is easy to see why it is having such a short run at UK cinemas (I could only find it being shown at the Reel chain) and has become simultaneously available on demand.
Mrs W and I watched it on Virgin Movies but I have to say we both became easily distracted and felt it was a waste of £4.99.
Reasons to watch: Decent performance by Richard Gere
Reasons to avoid: Boring and cliched
Laughs: none
Jumps: one
Vomit: yes
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 4/10
Star tweet
Andrew D Corkin Breaking news... Theo James just did his pickleback shot by taking the pickle first. Im embarrassed for him. I'll kick him out of my house.