Intrusion

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

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...

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.

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.

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.