Prismark10 The Benefactor is let down by not being sure what type of film it wants to be. Is it a tour de force by Richard Gere, a multi millionaire whose life is falling apart as he is wrapped by guilt as his actions caused the death of his friends in an automobile accident and then consumed by painkiller addiction or a man who seeks to meddle with the offspring of the people who died in the accident. A kind of a sinister Kriss Kringle who has designs on either the now grown up daughter or her surgeon husband.Gere as Franny Watts is convincing as the well to do but disabled rich guy lost in addiction but surely a millionaire who is in need of morphine would be able to get hold of it if he really needed it?Despite an earnest performance by Gere the film just does not know where to go.

Allguns Allguns He would be Francis Watt! (Ok, and we wouldn't have one of the finest TV-Shows of recent television)One thing is for sure about The Benefactor. Richard Gere brought the thunder with his performance and pretty much took the whole movie by his own. Then there was Theo James and he did well, I think. I mean... He's the guy from the last Underworld and the Divergent Series... How much can you ask?Of course that is not fair with the guy, he's a professional actor and he can deliver good performances. In the case of The Benefactor, there was not much to do with it. Even Dakota Fanning, one of the most brilliant actress of her generation, didn't have much to do or say... AND THAT SUCKS, 'CAUSE SHE CAN DO MORE!!! C'mon Hollywood, can't you give her good parts for Christ's sake? Does she charges for line delivered?I think... That's all to say that there's not much to say about the acting or the cast, besides Gere. Well, and there was the resemblance between Bobby (Dylan Baker) and Luke (James). Not much as twins, but enough to make clear that Puddles (Fanning) had serious Freudians issues!The Benefactor is the fiction feature debut to the writer and director Andrew Renzi, and I'll say that I liked and I'll wait to see more of that young filmmaker. The work in the directing wasn't anything mind-blowing but didn't let down.The writing... Well, the writing is far from brilliant. Actually, is very flawed. None of the characters is somebody, not even Franny, they all are a mosaic of characteristics. They have no story, no ego. And that's pretty much the reason the acting from the supporting cast is "meh". But the dialog saves it from being a total flop. The dialog is the thing that makes possible Gere's outstanding performance. Imagine the dialog full of exposition, not even Gere suffering the effects of abstinence in silence would make it better.The third act also had a problem. Everything happened so fast. There was no development to all of that and the conclusion lacks credibility for osmosis. Ten or twenty minutes more in the final cut could make all the difference. Turn the silly ending in something really emotional and believable.Nothing else to be said, just enjoy the movie. It isn't a top-shelf but it works for a simple dose of entertainment.

Tony Heck "I'm not gonna try and relate to you, because I can't alright. I don't think anyone can, but you need help." Franny (Gere) is a philanthropist who spends his days with his best friend and his wife. Everything is going great until an accident changes everything. Now, addicted to pain killers and trying to hide it Franny begins to spend more and more time with his old friend's newly married daughter and her husband (James). The more Franny tries to help the more they want him to leave them alone. In my review for Time Out Of Mind I stated that I never thought Richard Gere was all that good of an actor until that movie. This movie he takes another step forward and he is even better in this one. He plays the character on the edge of likable and creepy, moving flawlessly between both and really making you feel sorry for him and concerned about the others at the same time. That is a hard thing to portray. Overall, the movie itself isn't bad I I did like it, but the reason to watch is for Richard Gere's performance (I never thought I would say that). I give this a B.

michaelzerin I have been a fan of Andrew Renzi for many years, since someone told me about a Sundance short, called "The Fort." It was very thought provoking, but was even more blown away by Karaoke! Since then, I have tracked his career and when I heard he had won a Sundance writer's competition, I knew his first feature would be worth waiting for, A brilliant script, great cinematography and a wonderful cast, led by Richard Gere's most mesmerizing was just a nigh to remember.Congratulations to all involved, especially the esteemed and talented Mr. Renzi.Can't wait to find out what his second flick is about.