Review of Beginners (2011) by Faiz D — 19 Jan 2013
A miracle. It is so rich, real and moving that to see it is a rapturously emotional experience. Mike Mills weaves non-linearity, narration, dog subtitles, and narration into a unique visual experience that risks the twee artifice we all hate about bad indie films, but somehow defies the odds.
Maybe it's the insight; maybe it's the honesty; maybe it's the compassion; maybe it's that the characters are well drawn and recognizable; maybe it's that the story is unexpected yet universal.
An earthbound Ewan McGregor holds it all together with a strong, vulnerable performance; the beautiful Melanie Laurent turns a manic-pixie-dream-girl into a true beacon of light; but most impressive is the great Christopher Plummer as a gay father who has decided to be true to himself in the last years of his life, whose resolve gives BEGINNERS most of its warm hopefulness.
In short, the best kind of great movie - one that makes you glad to be alive, and human.
This review of Beginners (2011) was written by Faiz D on 19 Jan 2013.
Beginners has generally received very positive reviews.
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