Continuing today, the Canadian Film Fest screens the rom-com Ben’s At Home from Canadian writer/director Mars Horodyski and writer/actor Dan Abramovici.
Ben’s At Home follows the newly 30 and single Ben (Abramovici) as he copes with life, love, and bouncing back from a bad breakup. Heartbroken and cynical after he’s dumped by his girlfriend, Ben decides to never leave his house again.
Through the course of the film, Ben draws more into himself. However, he also relies more heavily on social media to interact with other people. Being at home also means relying on home-delivery for food and other necessities. It is in this way that he meets a really “awesome” girl, Jess (Jess Embro). What Jess does not know, however, is Ben’s decision to not leave his home along with his other ‘ emotional baggage’. To make matters worse, Ben decides not to go to a buddy’s bachelor party. At this point, Ben almost loses his friends. But not all is lost. And in the end, Ben must decide how important these relationships really are.
Romantic comedies are not my favourite type of film, but Ben’s At Home is actually one I had fun watching. It is relevant and witty, and reminds us that in this digital age, there are times when we need to unplug in order not to miss the important connections we have… and those that are waiting right at our front step. This is surely a film that is more than just a silly look at relationships.
Ben’s At Home has been showcased in film festivals around North America to really positive reviews. The film will be released in theatres across Canada in May 2015 and on Video On Demand (VOD) platforms including iTunes, Shaw, Rogers and Bell in July 2015.
But you don’t have to wait until then to catch it on the big screen. Ben’s At Home screens today, Saturday, March 28, at the Royal Cinema, 3:45pm. The short film, This Is Not What You Had Planned screens alongside it. This short is also a funny and a very good look at the ups and downs of romantic relationships. Highly recommend both of these.
I also encourage you to also attend Can Film Fest’s Closing Film, Pretend We’re Kissing, screening at 8:45pm. For more details, visit canfilmfest.ca.
