Film Review -- Beginners

Written and directed by Mike Mills, this dramedy stars Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Melanie Laurent. Oliver Fields (McGregor) has his world turned upside down when his elderly father Hal (Plummer) drops two bombshells on him: recently widowed after forty-four years of marriage, he reveals that he is gay, and that he has Stage IV lung cancer. His new circumstances give Oliver the courage to pursue a relationship with the equally-relationship-challenged, nomadic French actress Anna (Laurent). Plummer gives an excellent, although understated, performance, and he is almost certain to take home the Oscar for this role on Feb. 26. The real standout, thought, is Hal's Jack Russell, Arthur. Uggie, you have some serious competition. Too dark to be a comedy and too light to be a drama, the film's confusing tone detracts from the effectiveness of the story its trying to tell. It has the potential to be a truly moving film, but moments bordering on tedious keep it from reaching its full potential. Its worthwhile to see, though, if you want to see Plummer's award-winning performance.

Should You See It: Yes

Grade: B-