The Benefactor (I) (2015) User Reviews

Decent acting but doesn't really go anywhere

[MattyGibbs · 6/10 · 28 November 2016]

The Benefactor is a small drama with a decent cast. Sometimes these kind of movies are really engrossing but unfortunately this one although not terrible isn't memorable.

Richard Gere plays a Philanthropist haunted by the death of his friends and wanting to relive his past and make amends at the same time. He therefore sets out to help his friends daughter and her new husband. Although Gere is a good actor his character in this film just comes across as unlikeable. This therefore stops any sympathy you have for him and effectively ends much interest in the film. I thought Theo James did a good job as the husband but Dakota Fanning is woefully under used.

At times this is mildly interesting so it wasn't a complete write off but towards the end it sags badly and the rushed ending is highly unsatisfactory.

Unless you're a huge fan of any of the actors I'd give this one a skip. This probably worth a 5 but I'll up it to a 6 just for the shock scene near the start.

You're just a junkie with guilt......

[FlashCallahan · 6/10 · 10 March 2016]

Gere plays a Howard Hughes, John DuPont type philanthropist, who has more money than earth, and wants to help/meddle with Dakota Fanning's life because he feels responsible for her parents sudden death.

Addicted to Hydromorphone, he employs her husband (played by Theo James) at his children's wonder emporium type hospital in order to keep his supply of analgesia full, and to keep his foot in the door.

But when people begin to resist, refuse, and deny him what he wants, he becomes more and more desperate.

When a person with great power and wealth becomes vulnerable, it becomes quickly apparent to people that they are losing their edge, and the weak spots begin to show. Well in this film, it's really difficult to tell how many weak spots Franny has.

His obvious addiction to Morphine is the primary problem, but the film decides that he has more and more problems as the narrative unfolds, and it becomes mind bendingly awkward as to what his motivation is, and why Franny has all these ulterior motives.

Is it his guilt? We are treated to several flashbacks and nightmare sequences featuring the accident that becomes his undoing, but in the real time narrative, it's barely mentioned, just knowing looks and 'Hmmm's' from the cast.

Gere is wonderful, it's a showcase for him, doing his usual blinky performance. His desperation as Franny is pretty grim, especially one scene were his need for a fix is horrifically apparent.

But why does it come as such a shock to everyone that he has this problem? Especially someone who has studied medicine, their addictive qualities, and the dangers of taking strong analgesia........especially when Franny has practically got on his knees, begged for it, and then made out it was a joke.......several times.

If it wasn't for Gere's wonderful performance, this would have been just another TV movie of the week, it's clear to see why Fanning isn't as big as she were when she was younger, and James is in danger of being just another pretty boy who got lucky with a franchise.

But Franny is such a complex character, he is the glue to the film, and just about holds it together.

A word of warning though, there is an extended shaving scene during the end credits, and I was waiting and waiting and waiting.......you never get to see finished product, it surprisingly infuriated me.

Great performance from Gere but the storyline dries up. 4/10

[leonblackwood · 4/10 · 6 March 2016]

Review: Although Richard Gere is superb in this movie, I couldn't really see the point of it. The film kicks off with Franny (Richard Gere) in the car with his two best friends, Mia (Cheryl Hines) and Bobby (Dylan Baker), and while he is hugging Bobby, who is driving, a speeding car hits there car and Franny manages to escape with fatal wounds but he sadly loses his two best friends. After those dramatic scenes, Franny becomes a recluse and ends up addicted to painkillers until he gets a call from Mia & Bobby's pregnant daughter, Olivia (Dakota Fanning) who wants to come home with her boyfriend Luke (Theo James). After buying the couple a house, Franny does everything for the couple, out of guilt, because he feels responsible for the car crash but when he isn't able to get anymore prescriptions for his painkillers, he becomes out of control, and he's unable to hold it together. That part of the storyline is pretty straight forward but it doesn't seem to go anywhere. I thought that Luke treated Franny quite terribly, after everything that he had done for him, and Olivia didn't really interact with Franny, until the end, when he was struggling against his addiction. Anyway, it's a watchable drama with some emotional scenes but the storyline dries up after a while.

Round-Up: Richard Gere, 66, isn't one of those actors that takes on any and every project, that is brought to him and I must admit, some of his latest movies haven't been that great but that's not due to his great acting skills. Since his first movie, Operation Undercover in 1975, Gere has only made 50 movies, which have grossed nearly $1.5Billion, with Pretty Woman being his biggest hit with $178.5 million and he has become a household name with his dashing looks and cool demeanour. This movie was directed by Andrew Renzi, 31, who has only made 3 shorts in his career and a movie called Fishtail, which I personally haven't heard of, so he hasn't got that much experience behind the camera. He certainly got the most out of Richard Gere but from an entertainment point of view, it needed some other elements to keep it interesting.

Budget: N/A Worldwide Gross: $2million

I recommend this movie to people who are into their dramas starring Richard Gere, Theo James, Dakota Fanning, Cheryl Hines, Clarke Peters and Dylan Baker. 4/10

The poor are crazy, the rich just eccentric...

[Dr_Sagan · 31 January 2016]

This is a drama about a rich eccentric man in his 60s who suffered a traumatic event and became addicted to substances. Feeling guilt he tries to make amends but in his terms baring gifts which are not acceptable by the persons receiving them.

Richard Gere gives a solid performance but nevertheless this is a "little" movie with not much to offer.

Everything moves slow and the whole premise is quite simple, so no one can really recommend this movie as a quality spectacle. The low budget is evident through out the movie and some obvious plot holes are quickly swept under the rug.

Overall: Nowadays TV series got more complicated and interesting while low budget movies carry simple plots without such interest to justify 95 minutes of your time. If you are a fan of R.G. go and see the latest movie of your favorite actor. Otherwise...

Superb acting from Gere ... but what a boring movie.

[peterp-450-298716 · 5/10 · 19 January 2016]

"Did you buy my house ? I bought it for the three of you. Welcome."

I've never been a big fan of Richard Gere. I always associate him with ordinary films of the genre drama and comedy, with a lick of romance. Gere is also perfect for such films. A charismatic person with the right looks. Worthy son-in-law material and someone who made many women's hearts beat faster in those days. Since "Pretty Woman", a film with Gere was for me a film to avoid. Although I surely want to give "The Mothman Prophecies" a chance. And despite his old age, this 67 year-old former gigolo still looks surprisingly frivolous and attractive. Perhaps now you should look for his admirers among the over-60s.

I came across "The benefactor" by chance and it didn't look like a romantic comedy to me. Well, it's far from being comical. It shows the agony of the eccentric philanthropist Franny who's suffering from remorse and regret. A guilt this millionaire carries from the time that he's involved in a car accident along with a befriended couple Bobby (Dylan Baker) and Mia (Cheryl Hines). Whether he's the cause or not is not really clear. Daughter Olivia (Dakota Fanning), with whom the bachelor Franny has a good bond, turns his back on him.

Five years later, the charming, "dashing through life" multimillionaire who realized energetic plans, has changed into an introverted hermit who spends his days making morphine cocktails. A haggard loner with an appearance of Gandalf the White. A neglected Santa Claus with a thick beard and a wild hairdo. A caveman living in his luxurious cave. And then Olivia returns. Contacting him with the message that she'll be returning as a newly wed, pregnant woman. Franny gets his act together and from that moment on he only has one plan. And that plan is to make this couple's life as easy as possible and support them with his fortune.

To be honest, I think the acting performance of Richard Gere in this film was sublime. An overwhelming, charismatic character who demands all the attention during the whole movie. In such a fantastic way that the parts of Dakota Fanning and Theo James, the husband of Olivia, almost completely fade into the background. Gere shows a character that sways from one mood into another. From a flamboyant, enthusiastic founder of a children's hospital to a pitiful heap of misery. And then resurrecting again as a benefactor. Enthusiastically but with a tormented mind. At times I couldn't believe this was really Richard Gere. Fanning's character was reduced to a piece of scenery that served as the initiator of Franny's behavior. The same applies to Theo James. Although he also pleasantly surprised me.

The acting looks respectable. What about the story itself? Well, that's something else. First, it is terribly boring and dead simple. The whole story (not the psychological situation) can easily be summarized in a few concise sentences. In other words, nothing much happens. What story were they actually trying to tell? The tragedy of lost friends and a painful rehabilitation? A demonstration of excessive generosity and intrusiveness? The physical and mental deterioration because of an addiction? All of that was in it, but the character study dominated. Also certain questions remained unanswered. Was it really Franny's fault? Where did his fortune come from? And isn't it so that rich people can buy whatever they want? What I do know is that I'll give 'Time out of mind "a chance.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

One man show...

[Reno-Rangan · 6/10 · 24 April 2016]

I don't think the movie is worth a watch. There's nothing in it apart from Richard Gere's fine performance. If you still want to try it, he is the only reason to consider. You know performances alone can't save the movie, especially that theory did not work in this film. The story was very plain, it was about a man who's living with remorse and suddenly an unexpected thing happens that could help him to come out of his guilt fell, but it only gets worse in his every attempt.

The contribution from the rest of the cast was one of two reasons for the movie's downfall. They were okay, no complaint about that, but they were totally not visible like their existence means nothing other than to support the Gere's role. And the other reason was the scenes that lacked to imprint in the viewer's head with memorable quotes and/or moments. I would say there's a dull atmosphere in the entire narration. It is not an entertainer, but can be a character study material.

5½/10

No Real Benefit To This One

[wtmerrett · 4/10 · 25 February 2017]

A very slow moving picture with a rather predictable story-line.

Richard Gere gets to play a quirky eccentric rich man who has his own demons to deal with and tries to make others happy by giving of his money and manipulation.

Dakota Fanning is a solid young actor who has a great career ahead of her but needs to steer clear of this type of movie. This did nothing good for her even if all she got was to work with Richard Gere.

Theo James is a mostly TV actor who I have never seen before but he carried his weight in this one well and was not overwhelmed by Gere and Fanning.

Falling down

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 27 September 2016]

Or is it actually rock bottom? One thing is for sure, you need someone relatable and likable like Gere to portray this character. Otherwise the viewer would have a lot of trouble to watch this in general and feel something (empathy for example). His character is not completely lost when we begin. Quite the opposite that is, until we jump forward in time (and jump back and forth a couple of times).

It's to keep the intensity and the tension up for the viewers. Also to keep them guessing, though I reckon you can guess more or less what happened, that made him the way he is. But it's not as much about that as it is about the journey itself. And the question if there is still time for salvation ... It's a drama and it's slow paced of course, not everyone's cup of tea

The price of pain

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 6 October 2016]

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.

The movie itself isn't bad and I did like it, but the reason to watch is for Richard Gere's performance

[cosmo_tiger · 7/10 · 31 January 2016]

"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.

What a Snooze Fest

[paulrainwater · 2/10 · 16 January 2016]

Richard Gere's character is a neurotic, drug addicted, lonely, filthy rich, self indulgent old fart manic dick. I suffered through an hour of this snooze fest waiting for something, anything to happen before finally giving up. At first I thought it looked interesting and was trying to get into it, the opening scenes got me interested, but I kept waiting for something of substance to develop, but it got more silly as the movie went on. Why was this movie even made, just to show that Richard Gere can still act? What a waste of time. The opening scenes with flash backs kept me going, but I just could no longer take watching the Richard Gere character being so pathetic. This film is really disappointing and could have had some potential with a different script, maybe they should have invited Julia Roberts to co star and made it into a romantic comedy.

Crazy Good!!!

[t3-51-653490 · 10/10 · 25 November 2015]

Forget that this is his first major feature film, Andrew Renzi's directorial debut is on a par with Polanski, Jarmusch, and Scorsese! The pacing is excellent, the dialogue is fluid and the story is captivating and unpredictable. Even the casting is spot on bringing new life to some familiar faces - this could be Gere's Pulp Fiction. Mr. Renzi's fingerprints are all over this feature however the biggest crime is that we have not seen more from him. Clearly he is a methodical and selective craftsman. If this is Andrew Renzi's first time at bat then I can't wait to see what he does next! This is very clear foreshadowing of him becoming the next great Italian-American writer/director/producer - Look out Hollywood! TEG

What if Gregory House were a rich philanthropist and not a nihilist douche?

[afallguns · 6/10 · 13 February 2016]

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.

Good performance by Richard Gere in a very lackluster film

[subxerogravity · 5/10 · 19 January 2016]

Richard Gere plays a semi Howard Hughes type character who looses his two best friends in a car accident, and now feels obligated, because he's slightly responsible for the accident, to take care of their adult daughter, who really does not need his help.

Though this is the main plot of the flick, the best part is watching Gere deal with an addiction to morphine he develop. The film is most just Gere trying to self medicate the physical pain in hopes that it will also take away the emotional one.

It was also fun to see him attempt to turn Olivia, played by Dakota Fanning, and her new husband into the friends he lost long ago.

But overall, this movie could have been put together far better. It's not solid enough to contain Gere's decent performance. It also could have benefited from using Dakota Fanning more, or giving Theo James, as Olivia's husband, more to do than set up lines for Gere.

It's very mundane and leaves you with nothing.

Peculiar Drama Lacks Conviction

[lavatch · 1/10 · 8 March 2016]

The gist of "The Benefactor" is that the main character named "Franny" Watts is independently wealthy and doles out money to his friends with an implicit quid pro quo. The beneficiaries become aware that they are enabling Franny's addiction to painkillers. The principal focus of the narrative is Franny's guilt for an auto accident in which his best friends were killed. Years later, he purchases their home as a gift to their beloved daughter whom Franny calls "Poodles."

The film was written a vehicle for Richard Gere in the role of Franny. But all of the character developments are sketchy, as the scenario is built around Gere's emotional outbursts. The thankless role of Poodles is played by Dakota Fanning, who never fully realizes that Franny was responsible for the auto accident that killed her parents when he was smoking marijuana and horsing around in the car.

Too much left unanswered in this film. Where did Franny get his money? Why wasn't the auto accident investigated and the lit marijuana cigarette found in the car? How could Poodles allow Franny to purchase the home and pay off her husband's medical school loans without wondering about about his motivation? How could Franny's addiction go undetected for so long?

Even die-hard Richard Gere fans will probably find this film perplexing and unconvincing. SPOILER ALERT FOLLOWS: The ending in which Franny's bags are packed and he appears ready for a long trip was the final insult in a film that failed to address the topic raised by the filmmakers about the seriousness of addiction to painkillers.

A tormented soul

[Gordon-11 · 24 May 2016]

This film tells the story of an older man who tries to resolve his guilt from years ago, by being a generous benefactor of a hospital and if a newly wed couple.

"The Benefactor" is a touching story that shows a man trouble by his past unintentional deed. He tries to make things up, but unfortunately his good intentions do not always go the intended way. Richard Gere is convincing as a troubled soul who has unlimited resources but still cannot wash away the inner demons. No matter what he does, he is still shown be tormented. It's a heavy story, be prepared for it before you watch it.

A simplistic movie with Good Acting

[christinacraze · 7/10 · 27 July 2020]

Some reviews suggest that its not going anywhere and i understand what they mean but really its a movie about survivors guilt. Survivors guilt is a real thing people go thru and nobodies immune to it, even the rich. That said, i like it. N i have to say I like how Richard Gere did a good job of making the character make you feel uncomfortable, he was nice but uncomfortable. Great acting. Its a simple movie ... i like it.

A boring film that has no idea where it's going.

[PeterLormeReviews · 3/10 · 29 March 2016]

The Benefactor (2015) is overall just a boring film that has no idea where it's going. Wasting an all star cast, this tedious movie does nothing but put the audience to sleep. It's actually hard to describe the movie, because of how forgettable it truly is. The actors are given nothing interesting to do,so they come off as bored. The script is dull and the directing is mediocre at best. Richard Gere is the only one having a good time. He is truly the only interesting part of the movie. Theo James just plays along as a sidekick of sorts. Dakota Fanning does very little in the movie. Most of the time, she is just pouting while she holds her obviously fake pregnant stomach. I'll forget this movie in a week or so.'The Benefactor' is nothing worthwhile.

Good entertainment, but a regular movie...

[RosanaBotafogo · 7/10 · 13 March 2021]

This super song makes me want to cry, it makes my heart squeeze, "My Girl", I found Richard Gere a crazy suffering and fun, very cute, Dakota grew up, and she is wonderful as always, despite the few scenes, a very cute little girl, it could be more painful, it was light, superficial ... Good entertainment, but a regular movie...

Downright terrible

[d-magri · 1/10 · 2 May 2021]

I have 9 minutes left of the movie and I'm already writing the review.

This is a horrible movie.

I knew from the trailer it was not going to be good. But I came back to it because I got sick of scrolling through Prime videos! Richard Gere is an amazing actor and is the only reason I kept watching. Other than him, the plot, the script, the acting, it was all off. It was completely anti-climactic. Just simply a bad movie.

Suckish

[sergelamarche · 4/10 · 15 February 2021]

Not sure what this film was about. A rich guilt-ridden, drug-addicted, narcissistic benefactor with no life trying to have one? Strange and awkward.

Great Movie, Great Director/Screenwriter

[michaelzerin · 10/10 · 21 April 2015]

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.

Cautionary tale

[robertemerald · 7/10 · 15 March 2019]

This is a topical anti-drugs movie that is squarely focused on Richard Gere. For me, it was a little routine, and at times a little slow. I thought too much over acting or too exaggerated drama dampened the realism. At times I wanted to punch Richard Gere, despite his fascinating wardrobe. Maybe that was the point. It's the sort of movie that could get under your skin. It's certainly a professional production and well worth a look if you are interested in the dangers of over-use of pharmaceuticals.

Somewhat Uncomfortable

[brutzel · 5/10 · 21 March 2016]

The Benefactor, Franny Watts, (Richard Gere) meddles in the lives of Olivia (Dakota Fanning) and Luke (Theo James) who are expecting their first baby. Olivia was the daughter of Franny's best friends who were killed in an auto accident. Olivia does not know that Franny caused the accident her parents were in. Franny is hooked on pain killers (from the accident) and needs more meds that he hopes Luke, a doctor, will prescribe for him. Everything about Franny is quid pro quo.

Every story has a beginning, a middle and an ending or it should have. Here we are in the middle with flashbacks to the beginning and it stays in the middle . Franny goes out of control as he needs meds no one will give him any more and he needs to go into rehab and he is not willing to do that. We are stuck in this middle as Franny is.

Before we learn what was just mentioned above we got the feeling this may be quite an uncomfortable movie with the possibility of Franny making moves on Olivia who is many years his junior. That doesn't happen, but that was our take early on as we were squirming every which way on the couch hoping that didn't happen.

We got the feeling that much of the story was not told. Hence we are in the middle of the story with no resolution in sight. All this causes us to wonder why this movie was made in the first place. Of course we can read into the last scene and make up the ending, but would we be right? Hmmmmm………

The acting all around was good, but it needed a story resolution to make everything complete. (5/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes.

An unnecessary movie

[phd_travel · 5/10 · 6 September 2016]

A wealthy man who kind of caused the death of his dear friends tries to make up for it by being generous to their orphaned daughter and her husband.

The young couple come across as ungrateful brats - what's wrong with a wealthy close family friend wanting to help you out? Dakota Fanning looks prettier and less odd than before. Theo James doesn't look like a doctor at all.

Richard Gere tries to stretch his range as a dramatic actor but he is unconvincing. Even in the meltdown melodramatic parts he isn't believable. He just should dye his hair and do romantic comedies and dramadies for older people.

Not a must see but if you have some time to spare or were stuck on a plane like me it's just an okay watch.