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.
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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