ANY QUESTIONS FOR BEN?

Australia, 2012,

Josh Lawson, Rachael Taylor, Daniel Henshall, Felicity Ward, Christian Clark.

Directed by Rob Sitch.

The title comes from a session at a school where past students come back to address present students about their life and work. Alex (a vivacious Rachael Taylor) captures their attention with her explanation of her aid work in Yemen and other countries. Ben (Josh Lawson) talks about product campaigns. The students want to ask her questions. When the headmaster (a typically enjoyable cameo from director Rob Sitch) asks ‘Any Questions for Ben’, hands go down, there is not a one.

Of course, the main concern of the title is whether Ben has any questions for himself. At the opening, he sees himself as living the good life – even the better life. He has an apartment, a solid job, a flow of girlfriends, the possibilities of being out and around socially whenever he wants. By the end of the film, especially when he botches his relationship with Alex, the questions arise, especially echoing that for Alfie back in the 1960s, ‘What’s it all about?’.

Ben is 27, turning 28. The film is geared towards that audience who, one hopes, will identify with Ben by the end. Because it has been written by the team who brought us The Castle, The Dish and many entertaining television programs, it is a perspective of 40 somethings who have been through all

of this. Which makes it that bit more interesting, eventually, for those who are beyond 27 (or can’t remember it).

Ben is fairly casual with ex-girlfriends (and we meet a few) and stupidly casual with Alex. He has a best mate, Andy (Christian Clark) who shares his flat but who has little conception of what Ben is talking about when he begins to question. But, he does have a best friend, Nick (Daniel Henshall who won so many awards for a completely opposite character, the serial killer, John Bunting, in Snowtown), a lawyer, but rather a simple soul who has values in his happy life. His future wife is played with sense and humour by Felicity Ward.

So, in a way, we meander through Ben’s life with him, his fickleness, his visits to his parents, his being advised, sometimes badly, by friend, Sam (Lachy Hulme), at his work, wanting to change jobs, wanting to move, unable to contact Alex…

There is some humour, of course, a mixture of interesting and less interesting episodes, some impatience with Ben, which means that, despite its good intentions, it is rather a hit or miss slice of life.

1. Title? Ben and his life, 27, sailing through life, challenged and not challenged?
2. The Melbourne settings, the range of views of Melbourne, Melbourne promotion?
3. The world of the 20 somethings, business, jobs, promotions, making money? Taking this for granted?
4. The device of having notes about characters on screen, about Ben, his many jobs, time passing?
5. Ben, memories of school, his friends, Andy and Nick, sharing flats with them? Andy not understanding? Nick sensitive but ingenuous? Better advice coming Emily, especially about his not following through? His range of jobs, success, money? His range of girlfriends, their appearances on screen, not to be seen again? The meeting with Fleur, the night, his wanting to break, approaching her in the shop, her girlfriends and a criticism?
6. His new job, the enthusiastic boss, incessantly talking, plans, encouraging, brainwaves? The po-faced assistant, silent? Promotion? Interrupting Ben all the time? The surprise of the boat on the river, for hours? And the concert at the Myer Music Bowl? Then getting out?
7. Sam, his club, mentor, overbearing, friendly, but bad advice?
8. The request for Ben to give a speech of the school? The group of speakers, Jim and his continually intervening, insensitive? Alex, memories of school? Talk, everybody interested, been speaking, no questions for Ben? The aftermath?
9. Alex affecting Ben, his not handling the situation well? The day out with her, talking about Yemen, knowing Arabic? Her kiss, breaking off, then not following up?
10. The tennis promotion, the star, her father-coach, the attraction, the night together, her doing badly in the match, the father’s anger? Her leaving for the next tournament?
11. The trip to New Zealand, with Andy, happy-go-lucky?
12. The races, fashions, everybody present, Alex returning, for Nick and Emily’s wedding? Ben intervening?
13. The consequences for Ben, Andy no help? Thinking through, the relationship with Alex, her personality, the Danish man visiting, going out?
14. Ben and his relationship with his parents, their supporting him, his questioning his father about midlife crises?
15. The change in Ben’s life, the wedding, words in the church and commitment, speech, with Alex, her going to his flat, still an inarticulate?
16. His resolutions, seeing Nick and Emily go off happy, staying with his job, not moving his flat, Malcolm pleased that he was staying at his work?
17. The decision to go to Yemen, arriving, his speaking Arabic, everybody smiling, happy with Alex?
18. And the entertaining credits, the background story of Ben at the airport, the interrogations, customs, the awkwardness, the verification, everybody happy with him?