Although this third film from the Working Dog team is their weakest, Any Questions for Ben? is still a funny and insightful look into Gen X pressures in an increasingly fast paced world.

It’s been 12 years since director/co-writer Rob Sitch released The Dish. Such absenteeism from the screen is near unforgiveable and Any Questions for Ben? reiterates that fact. This is a fun, witty, sexy comedy not afraid to show a sensitive side, exactly the type of film missing from our screen for too long.

If follows the hectic life of marketing re-branding strategist Ben (Josh Lawson), a 28 year old bachelor who has gone through 10 jobs in 7 years and more than double that in women. As with all players, the emptiness of a life filled with conquests (yet nothing to show for it) sends Ben into a “quasi-life crisis”.

Lawson – a gifted sketch comic due to make big waves with several American films in the pipeline – plays the role very well, delivering that quick witted Working Dog humour with natural comedic timing. He also manages to make Ben a sympathetic creature, which is not an easy task since the character is swimming in money, opportunity and women.

Ben finds love and purpose in life through Alex (Rachel Taylor), a friend from high school who now works for the U.N. . That the chemistry between Taylor and Lawson is so palpable gives this coming of age romantic comedy the grounding it needs after a whirlwind opening act threatens to spin out of control.

Any Questions for Ben? is a fact paced movie, with Sitch and editors Stu Morley and Phil Simon using quick cuts to get the point across that Ben is one busy boy. Problem is the film feels too hectic at times, with too much reliance on montages featuring Melbourne city life played to a rather rocking soundtrack. (On that note, kudos to Sitch for utilising the power of Boston classic “More Than a Feeling.”)

Thankfully the writing and performances make up for those structural distractions, especially the supporting turns from Felicity Ward as no nonsense Emily, Lachy Hulme as tough talking mentor Sam, and Daniel Henshaw who does a 180 from his chilling turn in Snowtown with a warm hearted performance as Ben’s best friend Nick.

As with most coming of age movies Any Questions for Ben? has a moral to its story, and in this case it preaches that a life without purpose is a life unfulfilled. It’s a nice message in a funny and thoughtful film. Here’s hoping the next Working Dog release will come along quicker and not be so edit happy.