Ben X 2007

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: In adapting his novel and subsequent stage play, first-time writer-director Nic Balthazar seems more intent on impressing World of Warcraft gamers than honestly exploring the inner life of the mildly autistic boy at the center of his story. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: A provocative, exultant stunner. Read more

Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail: It's not the overarching naturalism of the performance that stands out but the conceptual breakdown of the portrayal into smaller, loosely connected segments. Read more

Brian Miller, L.A. Weekly: The best movie I've seen about teen angst since Donnie Darko comes from Belgium? Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: The film is harrowing, if maybe a bit melodramatic, until it crashes and burns in a feel-good ending. Read more

Susan Walker, Toronto Star: What leads off like a docudrama of the social ills accompanying a misunderstood condition merges into fantasy until, in very clever ways, director Nic Balthazar turns the medium into the message. Read more

Anna King, Time Out: Read more

David Jenkins, Time Out: The film's moral, technological and psychological themes are glazed over, and the manner in which Ben finally conquers his personal demons is laughably overblown. Read more

Brian Miller, Village Voice: The best movie I've seen about teen angst since Donnie Darko comes from Belgium? Read more