Review of Beginners (2011) by Mike S — 03 Feb 2014
Beginners is a small, quirky film about love, life, death, beginnings, and endings. Oliver (Ewan McGregor, with a somewhat odd American accent) has just lost his father Hal (Christopher Plummer) to cancer. Just 4 years earlier, Hal came out to Oliver as gay after Oliver's mother died. Hal was finally free to explore his true nature. This is all revealed in flashbacks throughout the film as Oliver tentatively begins a new relationship with Anna (Melanie Laurent). Oliver is a shy man who has difficulty committing, which may be partly due to the minimal physical affection his parents showed each other (Oliver's mother knew the man she married was gay). He tries to follow his father's example for how to embrace life and love.
The film's quirkiness comes from such touches as Oliver's occasional narration, in which he shows us photos of key events and milestones in his life, and the sub-titled musings of Arthur, Hal's dog that Oliver has inherited.
Although a somewhat formulaic romance, this well-acted film shows us that life lessons can come from unexpected sources, including our elderly parents.
This review of Beginners (2011) was written by Mike S on 03 Feb 2014.
Beginners has generally received very positive reviews.
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