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Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Kai Lennox ... see more see more... , Mary Page Keller , Keegan Boos , China Jesusita Shavers , Melissa Tang , Amanda Payton , Luke Diliberto , Lou Taylor Pucci , Bambadjan Bamba , Hana Hwang , Samuel T. Ritter , Jennifer Lauren Grant , Reynaldo Pacheco , Jodi Long , Bruce French , Leslie Shea , Michael Chieffo , Jennifer Hasty , Rodney Saulsberry , June Sanders , Catherine McGoohan , Terry Walters , Lana Young , Algerita Wynn Lewis , Regina McKee Redwing , Sunday Burke , Patrick Birkett , Sabera Wise , Rafael J. Noble , Jose Yenque , T.G. Cody , Ton Suckhasem , Charly Valentino , Seth Walker , Patrick Scott , Michael Wilhelms , Jennifer Lauren

Beginners imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Ewan McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Mélani... read more read more...e Laurent) only months after his father Hal (Christopher Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who - following 44 years of marriage - 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 endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him. -- (c) IFC

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77% liked it

19,516 ratings

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84% liked it

140 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Mike Mills (II)

Release Date: June 3, 2011

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DVD Release Date: November 15, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (1,758)

  • MrMarakai
    March 10, 2012
    MrMarakai
    Writer/Director Mike Mills' long awaited follow-up to his 2005 film "Thumbsucker" arrives with this independent emotional drama that has a similar sense for the off-beat that his previous outing had. This, however, doesn't impress as much.
    Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is a graphic art... read moreist that is coming to terms with the death of his father Hal (Christopher Plummer). In his time of grief, he embarks on a romance with French actress Anna (Melanie Laurent), while remembering the past of his parents' failed marriage and when his father revealed that he was gay, and dying of cancer.
    I can't honestly say that I was entirely drawn to this film upon it's release. I only checked it out for Plummer's Oscar winning supporting turn, of which, he made history by being the oldest actor to ever be awarded at age 82. The performances of McGregor, Laurent and Goran Visnjic are to be commended also though but Plummer does get the juicier role. As for the material itself, it was peppered with an original quirkiness that managed to just about see it through some periodic lulls. It was too slow for me but I have a suspicion that this might serve better on a second viewing. During my initial sitting though, I found it to waver and lose it's momentum after the hour mark. Ultimately, it's the zesty characters of Plummer and Laurent that keep the film ticking over and despite a good effort from McGregor, his character is a bit too dull and depressing to fully relate to. As it's him that drives the story, the journey becomes somewhat repetitive.
    A semi-autobiographical and highly personal story from Mike Mills that has an obvious air of catharsis. It just doesn't allow you to engage, as well as it should.
  • blacksheepboy
    February 29, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    This is certainly not a comedy, with a sense of humor that is not efficient, and I found it sad and depressive, contrary to those who felt it sweet and optimistic. The acting is good, but the characters seem shallow in their artificial indie quirkiness and the dialogue is pretty ... read moremuch annoying.
  • fb100001048934982
    February 21, 2012
    fb100001048934982
    'Beginners' is a film that thrives off the power of its performances as well as its attempt to be unique. It earns points for its originality, but the film ultimately seems to drag on until the viewer loses interest. It starts well and interestingly enough, but it eventually beco... read moreme its own enemy as the entertainment value steadily drops.
  • aliceinpunderland
    February 12, 2012
    aliceinpunderland
    Very beautiful in its treatment of love, death, courage, existential angst. The repetitious history of the family, the city, the world, as well as the flashback humor, is like a subtler version of The Tree of Life.

    Every character has cute little quirks: Hal talking to inanima... read morete objects and replying for them; Georgia "killing" the young Oliver in various ways and "interacting" with the artwork; Oliver's funny/sad drawings; Arthur, the dog's nonverbal dialogue:

    Arthur: Sheâ(TM)s unlike any girl Iâ(TM)ve met.
    Oliver: Someone flashy walks into your life and youâ(TM)re just gonna fall for it.
    Arthur: Are we married yet?
    Oliver: No, it doesnâ(TM)t work like that. There are other steps. Itâ(TM)s complicated.
    Arthur: I hope this feeling lasts.
    Oliver: Yeah, me too.

    The ending is too easy and open though. Oliver and Anna still have issues far deeper than just "commitment anxiety." They come back into each others' lives, and the audience is supposed to be happy that they're trying again despite not knowing what the fuck they're going to do.
  • LWOODS04
    February 10, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Mary Page Keller, Jodi Long, Kai Lennox, China Shavers, Jose Yenque, Brian Nolan, Melissa Tang

    Director: Mike Mills

    Summary: Based on indie director Mike Mills's relationship with his father, this i... read morentriguing drama tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips with the imminent death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who, at 75, has one last secret: He's gay. Both inspired and confused by his father's determination to find true love at last, Oliver tentatively pursues a romance with commitment-shy French actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent).

    My Thoughts: "I really loved the film. It's charming, honest, and heartfelt. The father starts really living after his wife passes and oddly enough Oliver starts truly living after his father passes. Both letting themselves be honest and finding love in the midst of it. The story is at times depressing, humorous, and beautiful. I did enjoy the father and son story more then Oliver and Anna's. It just seemed to drag a bit. Christopher Plummer stole every scene he was in, as did the Jack Russell Terrier. In all the movie is definitely one I would recommed, and one I would like to see again."
  • sanjurosamurai
    February 2, 2012
    sanjurosamurai
    an excellent script in terms of dialogue and some excellent direction choices make this a solid watch, but the film left the story for the sake of agenda in some glaring ways that detracted from the reality of what the characters were going through in real time and how it relates... read more to people in similar situations. life doesnt pause to push agendas in such a forced way, and the film suffered for it a few times. overall a good film with some wonderful performances and a wonderful romance involving mcgregor and laurent.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    January 29, 2012
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    To be honest and tell you the truth, there's nothing special about this movie that tells a story of a nearly 40 years old man who's struggling in his relationship after the death of his father, who turns out to be gay just after his mother died.. Even that, I must say the cast di... read mored a really good job.. I should given the title 'The Forgotten One' to Ewan McGregor as he is one of the finest actor in his age in Britannia land but he never took a credit for his performance.. For Melanie Laurent, I'm just surprised yet happy at the same time when I know she starred in this movie.. Since I first saw her performance in 'Inglorious Basterds' I know that I have fall for her, and just as in that movie Melanie once again prove me that I'm right to fall for her as I can say she could be the next Audrey Tautou in Hollywood.. While for Christopher Plummer, well what more can I say? He is the star of this movie, even though the story of this movie is about his son, with his (should I say it) crazy performance as a gay-man-instead-a-grandfather-should-be.. Well I just want to congratulate Plummer as his performance in this movie will grant him a lot of awards, especially the biggest one : Academy Awards.. Last word, it just an ordinary movie with a nothing special story but a great performance from the cast..
  • fb791220692
    January 11, 2012
    fb791220692
    Partway through watching 'Beginners,' I was reminded heavily of 'Garden State', an association that I can't break. Both films are charming indie romance/comedies that wishes to impart broad, loaded thoughts on life and love, both are the textbook definition of 'quirky' and both f... read moreeature a generally melancholy tone with an equally melancholy main character to boot. In addition, both stories are driven by a girl who suddenly comes into their lives and changes their perspectives. The one new thing 'Beginners' adds to the mix is the interesting dynamic of a newly openly gay father, played fantastically by Christopher Plummer, who had a great 2011 considering both this film and 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' And the movie is very enjoyable and deep. On the other hand, while the script is sharp and the characters are generally likable, I can't help but feeling let down by the fact that the movie thinks it is so fresh, and wants to be fresh so badly, but ended up being the first case I've come across since Garden State where the overabundance of quirk and the purposefully enigmatic philosophical ruminations dampened the appeal for me. Maybe I'm simply not the kind of person that this movie will resonate with (and I bet it resonates with A LOT of people). I, however, can only love these similar quirky indie comedies for so long before I begin to get a bit weary. If you aren't feeling that way, this film is highly recommended. But what else can I say? It may be called "Beginners," but, as smart as it is, I feel like I've been watching it for years.
  • fb100000145236770
    December 29, 2011
    fb100000145236770
    This is why I try to watch all the movies that are nominated for awards. Because I want to know if the movies nominated are great or not. "Beginners" is up for a bunch of spirit movie awards, which recognizes the best in Independent movies. Well, if this is among the best, the... read moren this was one of the worst years ever for Independent films. This movie is slow, boring, quasi depressing, and only has one good performance(Christopher Plummer who is also up for a Golden Globe). The movie is about Oliver(Ewan McGregor) who is trying to forge a new relationship with an eccentric woman named Anna(Melanie Laurent). The relationship brings back memories of his father who after 44 years of marriage came out of the closet(months after his wife died). Once he came out he lived a full, gay(very gay) life. He would years later pass away from cancer, but Oliver uses the memories to help find peace. It's a very interesting concept, but the execution is just poorly done. Christopher Plummer plays the 75 year old father, and he is great. He's funny, charming, and owns every scene he's in. It's when the movie focuses on Oliver and Anna, that it falls apart. This is a dramady, but needed more comedy to balance it out. Watch at your own risk, you make like it. Or you may be like me and just happy when it's over.
  • 366weirdmovies
    December 28, 2011
    366weirdmovies
    Middle aged cartoonist Oliver sabotages his relationships, but adjusts his priorities when his 75-year old dad announces he's gay, takes a younger lover, and then is diagnosed with cancer. With its quiet old-timey jazz score and gentle breaking of the fourth wall (a Jack Russell... read more terrier commenting on the action via subtitles), Mike Mills' sophomore feature brings to mind late 70s/early 80s Woody Allen, though with more melancholy and less funny.

View All Beginners Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
June 29, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

"Beginners" is warm and revealing and bittersweet, if a trifle all over the place stylistically and thematically. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
June 23, 2011
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"Beginners" is a delightful film - gentle, playful, creative and ultimately happy - though it's a tricky journey. Full Review

Richard Brody
June 20, 2011
Richard Brody, New Yorker

Excruciatingly faux-naïve and sentimental... Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
June 17, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Wwhile there's plenty of melancholia, there is also sweet wonder and celebration in writer-director Mike Mills' semiautobiographical tale of a straight son coming to terms with his own love's possibil... Full Review

Ben Sachs
June 17, 2011
Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

In his follow-up to Thumbsucker, writer-director Mike Mills continues to evoke a state of perpetual adolescence: the only fears given real weight are of not being liked and of having to behave like a ... Full Review

Tom Long
June 17, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Beginners finds life both ripe with possibility and ensnared in the past. But then every morning is a beginning, right? If only we could remember that. Full Review

Rick Groen
June 17, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

It's an embarrassment of emotional riches -- some pure and crisp, others cloying. This is a film that delights one moment and, the next, gets bogged down in its morass of feelings. Full Review

Peter Howell
June 17, 2011
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

An affecting film by Mike Mills that makes a virtue of its own awkwardness. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
June 16, 2011
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

It's a movie about untangling roots in order to grow. Full Review

Colin Covert
June 16, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Watching the film is like spending two hours consuming fat, sugary doughnuts of self-pity. Full Review

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    • Hal: I don't want to just be theoretically gay. I want to do something about it.
    • Hal: Well let's say... let's say since you were little, and you've always dreamed of someday getting a lion. And you wait, and you wait, and you wait, and you wait and the lion doesn't come. Then along comes a giraffe. You can be alone, or you can be with the giraffe.
    • Oliver: I'd wait for the lion.
    • Hal: That's why I worry about you.
    • Georgia: When you feel bad, you go into your room and scream as loud as you can for a minute or two, and then it's out of you, it's called 'catharsis.'
    • Anna: Why do you leave everyone? Why did you let me go?
    • Oliver: Maybe because I don't really believe that it's going to work and then I make sure that it doesn't work.
    • Anna: People like us, half of them think it will never work out. The other half believe in magic.
    • Oliver: You can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
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