Why did they have to get an ugly, dorky guy to play Ben? If Ben was really cute, it would have made the whole movie much better. That sounds superficial but I don't care, that dude was just ugly! They could have got someone better for Julia Roberts!
shareThe hair was so distracting. Ben's mass of hair had a life of it's own.
Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.
That was a popular way for guys to wear their hair in the late 80's and early 90s. I remember being in high school then and guys wore their hair like that. No beard though. Those were allowed in the dress code.
Ginger
"Arguing on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics"
agree that is how guys wore their hair, girls had the big puffy hair too lol sometimes if you look back at photos you really cannot believe until you see them again that yes we all had some high hair going on in the 80's early 90's lol
I thought he was pretty cute youthful more to her age than the domineering older husband although Ben sure had some creepy moments and looks in his eyes which I think attests to how he was portrayed in the book. Nice looking dude in my opinion.
I didn't care for him either
shareActually, if I recall correctly, in the novel, Ben was a red head and had wild hair. Martin was a blond, and frankly was described not so menacingly. Although the description of what he actually did to Laura was much worse. Patrick Bergin's portrayal was much more dominating. And the whole idea behind her attraction to Ben is because he was just a nice, normal guy. It was such a relief after Martin to meet someone that put your faith back in humanity. It's not always about looks...
It's all in the reflexes.
[deleted]
You must be joking! He was hot!
sharei thought he was a cutie in dire need of a haircut, but a cutie nonetheless
shareI think someone older should have played Ben. I mean look Martin and Laura: Martin is just a bit older. They are perfect but Ben and Laura????!!?!?!? Better think twice because Ben was like a kid. He was in college. But Laura? she was married.
I mean Ben was too young for her in my opinion and should have been played by someone as old as Martin.
Just as a note, Kevin Anderson who played Ben is actually 7 years older than Julia Roberts.
Yes, Martin was older than Laura and I think it worked well because he did manipulate her. When she left Martin and became friends with Ben, he was someone closer to her own age. I like them together, and I think it was believable.
Ben worked at the college or high school as a drama teacher. He was probably closer to Laura's age than Martin was.
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Integrity is what you do when's nobody's watching.
Laura is 23 years old in the movie. Ben teaches a college course. He is not actually in college. So the ages could be just fine. And, by the way, does age really matter in a marriage?
share23 in the movie?
She is 27 in the movie.
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"Stop brynning the dog!"Β©
In real life Julia was 24 the year the film was released. I think Ben was really cute but a lot of people on this thread seem to really dislike his and Laura's hair styles, hating their huge curly mop tops but I didn't mind it. Curly hair is fun. Straight hair is boring.
shareI suspect the hair represented the fact that Laura was in control of her own life; that's why it was wild and messy after she ran away and became Sara. When she was with Martin, her hair was perfect because it was what he wanted her to be. His hair was perfect too, if you guys will recall. Ben, on the other hand, had wild and messy hair and was unkempt because he was carefree, which was what Laura longed to be, as opposed to being a psychotic control freak like Martin was.
"When we make mistakes, it's evil. When God makes mistakes, it's nature."
I didn't find Ben that attractive, he was too hairy and I don't like facial hair much.
But what really bothered me was how condescending and frankly disrespectful he was. He was always smirking and talking in that high, haughty voice, and sneaking around Laura's house!!! My God, he barely knows her and walks into and around her house like he lives there! Even after he finds out she's nervous about her husband finding her.
And don't get me started on how nasty he was when they started making out on the stairs. When someone says "Stop!" you stop! I wanted to scream when Laura apologizes to him. I know that was partly because a part of her wanted to make love to Ben, but still He was a jerk to press her like that.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."
Ben's not so bad! He's the polar opposite of Martin, too. Scruffy, playful, fun-loving, creative. Patrick Bergin's mustache made him look so severe.
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"Love means never having to say you're ugly." - the Abominable Dr. Phibes
I thought he was kind of cute. But maybe they specifically chose someone that wasn't this drop dead gorgeous guy, to emphasize the fact that she was so desperately wanting someone who would make her feel safe and protect her after what she had been through, and Ben was just that. A nice, safe guy. Besides, I think he is much better looking than her husband.
shareBen was not cute to me but neither was Martin. I just didn't like the apple scene as stated above because he came off as a sleaze.
Zina ( The Original Princess)
I recently saw Patrick Bergin (Martin) in another film a few years later, sans mustache. He was much better looking, still had that intensity but he looked rather handsome.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."
I'll tell y'all what would have been good. If they'd have gotten Dan Ackroyd (as Beldar, the Conehead) to be Laura's new boyfriend after she ran away from Martin. He could have told her things like "I am from France" when she asked where he was from. And maybe he could have spent the night with her and asked for some "swine flesh" when she was frying bacon the next morning. Yes indeed, I think Laura and Beldar would have made a good match. LOL
sharebeldar.
I'm with the Mattress Police. There are no tags on these mattresses.
LOL...I found a Best of Dan Ackroyd DVD in the bargain bin at Wal Mart and it has some really hilarious skits from SNL of The Coneheads. I was nearly rolling on the floor I was laughing so hard. As for my mattresses....I throw myself on the mercy of the court, your honor.
sharemaybe it was his fancy k-swiss kicks. he props them up on his porch while he reclines like the way a woman with nice legs shows off her favorite pair of heels. after that? she sees them. she's into him.
His name...was Julio Iglesias!
maybe it was his fancy k-swiss kicks. he props them up on his porch while he reclines like the way a woman with nice legs shows off her favorite pair of heels.
the song he sings...and dances along with at karaoke night! ξ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAzTO8GMZhk
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