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From writer/director Mike Mills comes a comedy/drama about how deeply funny and transformative life can be, even at its most serious moments. Beginners imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Golden Globe Award nominee Ewan McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Mélanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds) only months after his father Hal (Academy Award nominee Christopher Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 45 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal’s new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they’d ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavours to love Anna with all the bravery, humour, and hope that his father taught him.
Special Features:
Special Features:
- Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Mike Mills
- A Short Film About Making Beginners
- Beginners Promo
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In the aftermath of his father's death an artist (Ewan McGregor) meets and falls in love with a young woman (Melanie Laurent). The story proceeds through the first weeks of this relationship with flashbacks on memories of the artist's childhood and of his father's last days. The flashbacks help us understand why McGregor's character is having such a hard time building a relationship with someone who for many people would be a dream woman: McGregor's father, played beautifully by Christopher Plummer, was gay, who only came out after his wife died. McGregor's character frets constantly that all his relationships will become as passionless as his parent's and so, little by little, has sabotaged them.
Its something of a relief to see Ewan McGregor giving a decent performance in a good film again: with the exception of "The Ghost" much of his output over the past few years has been some considerable dross. Here he gives a sympathetic performance of a man who, with a less well judged portrayal, could easily alienate the audience with his low-key self-destructiveness.
This is a slight story but beautifully told and with some profound insights. It is worth watching for Chrisopher Plummer alone, and a lovely cameo from Goran Visnic as Plummer's lover. There are a few decent jokes in the film but overall it is a very melancholic affair. Nevertheless it pulls off the not inconsiderable trick of leaving the viewers feeling hopeful at the end.
Its something of a relief to see Ewan McGregor giving a decent performance in a good film again: with the exception of "The Ghost" much of his output over the past few years has been some considerable dross. Here he gives a sympathetic performance of a man who, with a less well judged portrayal, could easily alienate the audience with his low-key self-destructiveness.
This is a slight story but beautifully told and with some profound insights. It is worth watching for Chrisopher Plummer alone, and a lovely cameo from Goran Visnic as Plummer's lover. There are a few decent jokes in the film but overall it is a very melancholic affair. Nevertheless it pulls off the not inconsiderable trick of leaving the viewers feeling hopeful at the end.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Beginners - Touching film that sensitively deals with some big issues
30 Sep 2011
Format:DVD
Life can often be full of surprises. Oliver's (McGregor) life starts to undergo profound changes when his father (Plummer) declares himself gay, then discovers he has terminal cancer. After his father's death he is further surprised when he falls for Anna (Laurent), but dealing with the emotional upheaval of his father's passing causes problems with the new relationship.
This is a nicely observed character study, with a decent touch of humour and a story that goes somewhere. Throughout the story all the characters really develop, especially McGregor who shows how good an actor he really is. Christopher Plummer gives a top notch performance as the newly confessed gay Hal, who then goes on to fully embrace every aspect of his new life, and to extract every last drop of fun from it while he can.
While Plummer and McGregor are top billed, the star of the show has to be Hal's dog, Arthur, who gets some of the best lines in the film...
It would have been so easy to be heavy handed with this subject matter and produce a leaden intense drama, but the light touch from both director and actors makes this a charming and easygoing experience that leaves you refreshed. It might be a light touch, but it certainly isn't lightweight. And while it is funny in places, this is contrasted (as many of the best comedies do) with extreme sadness. It is a textured, thoughtful experience that, while never going to sweep the awards, is a worthwhile film to watch. 4 stars.
This is a nicely observed character study, with a decent touch of humour and a story that goes somewhere. Throughout the story all the characters really develop, especially McGregor who shows how good an actor he really is. Christopher Plummer gives a top notch performance as the newly confessed gay Hal, who then goes on to fully embrace every aspect of his new life, and to extract every last drop of fun from it while he can.
While Plummer and McGregor are top billed, the star of the show has to be Hal's dog, Arthur, who gets some of the best lines in the film...
It would have been so easy to be heavy handed with this subject matter and produce a leaden intense drama, but the light touch from both director and actors makes this a charming and easygoing experience that leaves you refreshed. It might be a light touch, but it certainly isn't lightweight. And while it is funny in places, this is contrasted (as many of the best comedies do) with extreme sadness. It is a textured, thoughtful experience that, while never going to sweep the awards, is a worthwhile film to watch. 4 stars.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By smits
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw Beginners after a bereavement and though it was a strong experience to see something like this it was healing....Plummer is suave and vulnerable and does his part...Ewan McGregor continues to enthrall and please....love the new girl..their romance, including the Plummer gay romance is the stuff of modern love and is refreshing....love the job Ewan does ....simply profound !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern classic, highly recommendable!
After a remarkable career, Christopher Plummer changes his game by playing an elderly gay character. A true tour de force. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Tim van der donck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Film
My husband had been looking for this film so I bought it as a gift to surprise him. We really enjoyed the film and know that it has been a hit with others who have borrowed it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. Monk
2.0 out of 5 stars
Beginners
A disappointing movie with only a few scenes that impress. I found its direction uninspired and, for me, disappointingly lacking in humour.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Robin A.C.Vivian
3.0 out of 5 stars
I found it disappointing
I was looking very forward to seeing this movie after the media buildup, but I found it disappointing and superficial
Published 4 months ago by Forbes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soultouching piece of art
I like this film very much and I was pretty sad when I saw some reviews..
It is very touching film about deep feelings hidden inside us. Read more
It is very touching film about deep feelings hidden inside us. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ocean Girl
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as expected
I had been looking forward to watching this for some time but I was quite disappointed with it 4 more words
Published 5 months ago by SOL
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual downbeat drama.
The stark, uncomfortably quiet opening where Oliver (Ewen McGregor) is cleaning out the house of his recently deceased father, emptying stuff into bin bags to stack outside, on a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MarkW
5.0 out of 5 stars
The sweetest film you'll see
An indie romance that for once isn't all doom and gloom. A fantastic group of actors, including the jack russell. Sweet, funny, and hopeful. Read more
Published 7 months ago by FilmAddict21
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartwarming and Rich
A slow moving story that wraps you up in its characters. I love movies that make you think without overt manipulation - this is one of those movies that you "take home with you",... Read more
Published 10 months ago by M. Jefferies
2.0 out of 5 stars
Beginners
Grossly overated film. Why he got an award I do not know, was it his turn. Unlike product review, the story line is not clear. Poorly written and directed. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bobby
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