Review of The Beaver (2011) by Stuart K — 17 Jan 2012
Jodie Foster's first film as a director since Home for the Holidays (1995), this was originally seen as a knockabout comedy starring Jim Carrey. But, she cast her friend Mel Gibson, who after filming this, had one HELL of a public meltdown.
It's strong in your mind while you watching this. But he gives a good performance, and it has dark laughs along the way. CEO Walter Black (Gibson) is going through a depressive patch in his life, his company, a floundering toy business, is on the verge of bankruptcy.
His wife Meredith (Foster) kicks him out, and his eldest son Porter (Anton Yelchin) is happy to be rid of his embarrassment of a father, especially as Porter is falling for Norah (Jennifer Lawrence). Down and out, Walter finds a hand puppet beaver in a wheelie bin, from this moment on, he has it on all the time, communicating through the puppet in a Cockney accent.
This helps him recover, rebond with his younger son Henry (Riley Thomas Stewart), and he is able to revive the toy company with a Beaver building kit, and Walter goes on television too. But, it seems like the beaver puppet is taking over his life, and it's made things even worse.
It's a drama with some comedic moments in it, it's very offbeat, and Mel actually gives a good performance in it. It'll be good to see Mel return, lets hope Hollywood forgives him and moves on from his drunken antics.
This review of The Beaver (2011) was written by Stuart K on 17 Jan 2012.
The Beaver has generally received positive reviews.
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