Beginners
2010
***
Director: Mike Mills
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Višnjić, Kai Lennox, Mary Page Keller, China Shavers, Reynaldo Pacheco, Jennifer Hasty
While Oliver attempts to overcome grief and embark on a new relationship, he looks back at his father's final years after he came out as gay at the age of 75. Mike Mills' autobiographical drama comedy is likeable and well-acted but too quaint and quirky to fully embrace. Whether it's Oliver and Anna's meet cute at a party, his illustrations about the history of sadness, or the dog whose thoughts are subtitled, I was never able to forget that I was watching a film. Christopher Plummer, who plays the late father, won an Academy Award for his warm and subtle performance.
