Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Beginners (2010)

What is it about?

Oliver learns to come to grips with his father's two major announcements, being diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the other one being that that he has always been gay. He copes with how it affected his past, the changes it brought, and how he views the future.

Who is in it?

Ewan McGregor - Oliver Fields

Christopher Plummer - Hal Fields

Melanie Laurent - Anna

Favorite Scene: 

After Hal passes away, the film has a beautiful montage of what to expect when a loved one passes away. The scene wraps up the emotions and reality of losing someone the way Oliver expected Hal to do so. 

Favorite Quote: 

Anna: Why do you leave everyone? Why did you let me go?
Oliver: Maybe because I don't really believe that it's gonna work. And then I make sure that it doesn't work.
---
Oliver: Why are you telling them you're turning the corner?
Hal: Well, uh...
Oliver: You, you have stage four cancer.
Hal: It's not as bad as it sounds.
Oliver: Pop - There is no stage five.
Hal: [chuckles] That's not what it means.
Oliver: Well, then what does it mean?
Hal: It just means that it's been through three other stages.

Review: 

I really enjoyed Beginners. I really did. I didn't have much of an expectation coming into this film, which may have added to my overall approval of the film, but even without it, the film is clever, touching, thoughtful, and honest. 

The dynamic of the film dealing with feelings, history, our past, and how we handle, and most of all, carry, our emotions is the core of this film. The scenes of flashbacks to the past, the history of gay right movements, the pursuit of happiness, and how it all shaped Oliver's life is intriguing. Even more so is his relationship with Anna and how both of their pasts affected their futures. 

Love, happiness, sadness, and all of our emotions aren't always so defined. And this filmed very much reminds you of that. 

The characters are highly intriguing, and there is plenty of subtle humor littered throughout the film. Especially, the subtitles from Author the dog. 

A hidden gem if you are able to find this film. 

Grade: 3/5
Labels:

Recently Read Posts

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/6/22

3 Up 1. NYC Marathon Winners - I am ALWAYS in awe of marathon runners, especially, marathon winners. Congratulations to Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi on winning the Men's and Women's races.  2. Taylor Swift - Only Taylor Swift can reach the heights of breaking records from the likes of The Beatles. And well, she's done just that. Also, she's taken over the entire Top 10 by becoming the first artist - ever! - to do just that. Amazing.  3. World Series No-Hitter (and Championship) - It pains me to give the Houston Astros some love in this space, but it is deserved. Especially, for that combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the World Series. Kudos.  3 Down 1. Antisemitic Rhetoric - There is so much that can be said here. I'll just repeat a sentence from an Asian student in our office as others discussed Kyrie Irving, Kanye West, and all of the antisemitic rhetoric currently out there - why would you say any of this? 2. Takeoff Killed - Such a tragic occurrence. We just do
Read more

62 is Amazing...So was the Mental Competitiveness

It's very easy to fall into the low-hanging fruit that surrounds what Aaron Judge pulled off in hitting 62 - SIXTY-TWO!! - home runs. What's the real home run record? What is your opinion? Who's the real home run king? You know, all of the hot-takes and forced debates that always seem flood to the surface and strangle the moments, accomplishments, and specialness in sports.  The conversation is valid, and it is definitely the fault of no one else besides Major League Baseball that we are currently in this position of deciphering records from *records. We've done the steroids discussion in every shape, form, arena, and angle thus far - nothing is going to change. We all have had time to plant our flag and get comfortable with steroids, the steroid era, and its place in the game of baseball's history.  Even the "American League Record" moniker, while fact, still had the feeling of reaching for legitimacy to combat the steroid gorilla in the 62 in '22 roo
Read more

WWE Extreme Rules 2022 Review: "Keep Doing That Thing...Whatever it is. It's Working"

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think as a young, teenage wrestling fanatic that the WWE would be better off without Vince McMahon. But in the year 2022, this very much rings true. Ever since the Chairman of the Board swayed his arms in that classic McMahon strut right out of the WWE, leaving Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Kahn with the brass ring (how about that ode to Vince?), the product of the WWE has actually pulled me back in.  Heck, I watched RAW live, for an hour. Not the whole three hours, because, really, I still have no idea how some fans do that. Even if the show is good.  Nonetheless, much like all things that get a fresh coat of paint in pro wrestling, it becomes a hot commodity. Sustaining it is the challenge (see AEW for proof). We'll see how long this lasts, but for now, the WWE is once again entertaining, and that doesn't bode well for the rest of the wrestling industry.  I tuned into Extreme Rules, WWE's long-time nod to ECW with a night fu
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/17/22

3 Up 1. Four Astronauts Return Home - I can't imagine being in space for six months. I've had my experiences of living out of a suitcase on earth for as long as two weeks on the road, and that's difficult. Space? For 6 months. Kudos to all four astronauts. And of course, I'm glad that they're home safe.  2. Bruce Sutter - The Hall of Fame unfortunately passed away this week. And while I never saw Sutter pitch, I too threw a split-fingered fastball when I didn't have much else in my development as a pitcher in college. I've got much respect for the inventor of the pitch. RIP.  3. Floating City - Give this article a read. A floating city? The whole entire idea sounds crazy, but at the same time, super cool. Rising sea levels has everyone thinking differently, and this is certainly that.  3 Down 1. Sandy Hook Families - The families were awarded a huge settlement this week in a case against Alex Jones. While that should be an "Up", I couldn't he
Read more