Review of The Beaver (2011) by Jared C — 20 Dec 2011

I've got to say it is encouraging to see a very fine and human actor like Mel Gibson back on the big screen again after seeing Edge of Darkness. And now to see him in this what can I make of it, well simply that Mel does know how to give a really believable performance as he plays Walter a man suffering from depression.

With no other motive but to commit suicide, a hand puppet of a beaver may be the one thing that can save him and help him to control his depression. Unfortunately the Beaver takes over for Walter as his speaking part to his wife who struggles with this new found therapy and his teenage son Porter who does anything to separate the growing similarities between him and his dad.

The actors are really well focused in this piece Foster does well, Anton is good and Jennifer Lawrence as Norah Porter's girlfriend gives a good performance as well. But the film focuses much of course on Gibson and his character.

It can be a little hard to focus on Mel while he is talking through the Beaver, but I believe the concept is trying to show the separation of his therapist and Walter himself. The film is depressing at times, but the overcome achievement seen in the end is emotional.

A good film to see.