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Beginners

Country: USA, Language: English, 105 mins

  • Director: Mike Mills
  • Writer: Mike Mills
  • Producer: Miranda de Pencier; Lars Knudsen

CGiii Comment

Christopher Plummer is, tragically, under-used.

Ewan McGregor's accent is nothing but disgraceful.

The writer/director...well, his ego got in the way.

His story is, simply, not interesting...graphically mediocre...to say the least.

His father's sotry most definitely is.....so why the focus on the son?

Because...it's my film...replete with huge swathes of cringingly complimentary brushstrokes. My oh my, what an incredible ego you have!

In the right hands, this film could have soared above the clouds...instead, it's a gimmicky ode to self-worth. Wethinks that Mr Mills should stick to the pop promos...

Despite the flaws...it is a heartfelt ditty...enjoyable - when it doesn't wallow in the romance...and, entertaining - when it doesn't get bogged down in the romance.

Plummer is flawless and enthralling - it should have been a film about him - and only him (and his dog, who does have the best lines).


Trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

It's 2003. Thirty-eight year old graphic artist Oliver Fields has just lost his father Hal Fields to cancer, after Oliver's mother Georgia Fields passed away five years earlier. Oliver is naturally a sullen man due to his growing up relationship with his parents (his mother who had a unique view on life) and watching his parents' cordial but somewhat distant relationship with each other, but is more so now because of his personal family loss. Oliver embarks on a relationship with Anna, a French actress. Oliver is hoping that his re-energized relationship with Hal following Georgia's death and Hal's new outlook on life during that time will show Oliver how to act in a loving relationship. After Georgia's death, Hal came out of the closet and began to live with a joie de vivre that did not exist before, which included an open relationship with a much younger man named Andy.

Cast & Characters

Ewan McGregor as Oliver;
Christopher Plummer as Hal;
Melanie Laurent as Anna;
Goran Visnjic as Andy;
Bill Oberst Jr. as Movie night guest - Hal's friend;
Jessica Elder as Party girl;
Mary Page Keller as Georgia;
Jodi Long as Dr. Flaster;
China Shavers as Shauna;
Kai Lennox as Elliot;
Reynaldo Pacheco as Juan;
Brian Nolan as Ethel;
Catherine McGoohan as Older Woman;
Jennifer Hasty as Secretary;
Jose Yenque as Robert