MovieChat Forums > My Father the Hero (1994) Discussion > In real life Ben was 20. She was 14!

In real life Ben was 20. She was 14!

posted 9 years ago by rena313
9 replies | jump to latest

The guy who plays Ben was 20 years old while Katherine Higel was only 14. Where is it okay for a grown man to kiss on a child actor? Aside from that why didn't her father in the movie have a problem with his daughter liking this older guy? He has to atleast be portraying a 21year old because he drinks beer in the movie.
This movie could never happen today. The movie was heartwarming because the father did everything to make his daughter happy but its pretty creepy when you consider that she's just a child. Just 14

[–] Randy-144 9 years ago

Actually, Dalton James, who portrayed Ben, was 22 during filming -- born March 1971, filming started June 1993. Does that make the movie even less acceptable for you?

What surprised me is that Ben would pursue Nicole since she looked, and was, 14. At a resort that drew young women his age he wouldn't have had trouble connecting with someone 18+. 

[–] actionmanrandell 8 years ago

Ben was't supposed to be 21 years old. he was supposed to be 17

[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

A lot of relationship where the male is 20something and the girl is 14 or 15 still happens nowadays. Nothing wrong about it.

[–] jakemon45 (971) 4 years ago

I really don't think that's true. If it is, I don't want to believe it.

[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

You should live the world more man.

[–] jakemon45 (971) 4 years ago

I'd rather not, if that is a normal thing out there. Pretty creepy.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

And in most states it is considered statutory rape. Age of consent in some states is 18 and even in states with a 2 or 3 year variance before prosecution a 20 something boinking a 17 or younger person would not be within the variance and would get the privilege of being a sex offender along with some prison time where they would get to experience real rape up close and personal. While it can still happen it doesn't mean it is legal and doesn't have a significant risk to the guy.

[–] Franky88 (288) 4 years ago

Nah in Europe its pretty standard,trust me.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Not saying it isn't acceptable in Europe. This was a US movie and most people were discussing the movie in those terms. If you want to look at where it took place then the Bahamas age of consent between a male and female is 16 but there is no close-in-age exemption so he would have been guilty of statutory rape sense she was 14.