“Chuck here is played by Benjamin Pajak, bringing a sweet, youthful exuberance to the character.”
— Christopher Reed, Hammertonail.com
“…Pajak’s Chuck embraces the magic and mystery his grandparents craft for him in the wake of his parents’ tragic deaths. Flanagan always has an eye for emerging talent. Pajak’s casting provides a beautiful spotlight for the young actor’s skills, particularly in the dance sequences…”
— Sarah Musnicky, Butwhytho.net
“Flanagan actually achieves the emotion he’s seeking during the film’s most humble, intimate chapter, when a young Chuck (played by Benjamin Pajak, by far the standout) takes an extracurricular dance class and tries to muster up the courage to strut his stuff at the school formal. It’s in these too-brief scenes that Flanagan finally decides to show rather than tell, with a relatable tale of childhood awkwardness that says much more about life’s magic moments than any big speech or clumsy voiceover.”
— Alex Hudson, Exclaim.ca
“Audiences should prepare to be even more impressed with Pajak and the younger Chuck’s abilities...”
— Abe Friedtanzer, Awardsbuzz.com
“In fact, the real star of “The Life Of Chuck” is Pajak, who single-handedly carries the film on his nar-row, bony shoulders in an absolutely sensational child performance.”
— Ankit Jhunjhunwala, Theplaylist.net
“As younger versions of Chuck, Jacob Tremblay and Benjamin Pajak are charismatic and full of life.”
— Mae Abdulbaki, Screen Rant
“He’s ably aided by a host of touching performances from his capable cast, with the four actors taking on the role of Chuck (Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak, and Cody Flanagan) particularly nailing the evolution and maturation of a young man who is at once singular and completely ordinary.”
— Emma Badame, Thatshelf.com
“The final act explores a younger Chuck (Benjamin Pajak) as he’s forced to deal with multiple tragedies and finds a way to cope through dance.”
— The Verge
“Charles Krantz (played impeccably by Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak & Cody Flanagan) was born amongst tragedy but brought up in a world surrounded by love and mediocrity. The film is a slice of life (three, to be exact) across different iterations of “Chuck”, and the people he comes across, the people he loves.”
— Rafael Cordero, Layeredbutter.com
“Like all of Flanagan’s work, one of Chuck’s greatest strengths is its ensemble. Hiddleston is the bedrock in a cast that includes massive stars such as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamil, young phenom Benjamin Pajak and Ferris Bueller’s Mia Sara.”
— Michael Winn Johnson, Filmspeak.net
“The third act features some hopeful regulars among Flanagan’s rolodex as Mark Hamill churns out a surprisingly emotional and layered turn, pulling off fierceness and compassion in equal measure while sharing scenes with younger versions of our titular character. And on that note, this may be the one of the best examples of casting a character through different eras, with the youngest Chuck being a complete dead ringer for an elder adolescent Chuck played by Benjamin Pajak— each impressive in their own right. And someday, I wouldn’t be surprised to mistake Pajak for Hiddleston, as a brief montage shows their resemblance.”
— The Pop Break
“Hiddleston delivers his best performance yet as Chuck (while Cody Flanagan, Benjamin Pajak, and Jacob Tremblay also deliver as the younger versions of Chuck)”
— Keith Loves Movies
“Benjamin Pajak delivers a standout performance as the young Charles Krantz, showcasing not only a deep emotional range but also an unexpected flair for dance. These sequences radiate joy, underscoring the crucial message of finding happiness even in dark times.”
— Audrey Fox
“…and Pajak deliver terrific turns in Lear DeBessonet’s production… a touching performance by Benjamin Pajak in the title role.”
— Jesse Green, The New York Times
“Singing disarmingly and with real beauty and purity as the kids are Lily Bell Morgan and Benjamin Pajak (the boy who made such an impact on New York theatregoers recently in The Music Man and Oliver!). Their appearances are major highlights for charm and engendering sympathy. ”
— Talkin Broadway, Sound Advice Reviews
“Pajak’s “Where Is Love?” is thrilling, and he adds a scrappiness to the character that one doesn’t often see ”
— Talkin Broadway, Off-Broadway
“...Pajak could have gotten a mid-show standing ovation for his downright glorious “Where Is Love?,” ripe with devastating innocence and puppy-dog longing, the applause for Pajak deservedly blew the roof off the place, and City Center has an extremely high ceiling”
— Theatermania
“Pajak sings the song so well...it almost brings the show to a standstill”
— Daily Beast
“Benjamin Pajak makes a delightful Oliver, too, with some of the best singing you’re likely to hear on any stage… ”
— Exeunt Magazine NYC
“The strength of [Benjamin’s] voice and, perhaps even more so, his mature phrasing is sure, heart-rending, instinctive. Bravo”
— New York Stage Review
“Benjamin Pajak leaves audiences wanting more… Never before has a boy triumphed more”
— Slant
“The connection between father and son is made clear through several songs delivered touchingly by dad Max Von Essen and son Benjamin Pajak. ”
— Times Square Chronicles
“Young star Benjamin Pajak shines”
— Daily Beast
“...the absolutely adorable, but so real and grounded Benjamin Pajak as Winthrop Paroo.”
— JK's Theatre Scene
“Any effort to resist the virtuosic children in this production, particularly Benjamin Pajak as Marian’s brother Winthrop, would prove a fool’s errand.”
— New York Theatre Guide
“Benjamin Pajak gets a paragraph of praise to himself... If there’s a scene stealer on this stage, he’s it...”
— New York Stage Review
“Tyke actor Benjamin Pajak is delightful as Marian’s socially withdrawn little brother...”
— The Hollywood Reporter
“Tops among this disciplined gang is Benjamin Pajak, who is a little marvel as Winthrop Paroo”
— Variety
“Christopher (Benjamin Pajak) is a fascinating protagonist.... The final scene of Where It’s Beautiful When It Rains is a display of Pajak’s talents and the film’s final recourse to the past in search of answers.”