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Beginners
2011 104 min United States of America R 16+
★7.9
Drama, Romance, Comedy
Director: Mike Mills
Trailers
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Description
Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna only months after his father Hal Fields has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 44 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life – which included a younger boyfriend.
Budget:
$3.2M
US Gross:
$5.79M
Worldwide:
$14.31M
Starring
Ewan McGregor
Actor
Christopher Plummer
Actor
Mélanie Laurent
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2012
— Best Supporting Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 2012
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 2012
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Beginners is a contemplative, stylistically unique drama that earns praise for its sensitive direction and poignant performances, particularly from Christopher Plummer. While many viewers find its gentle, melancholic exploration of grief and identity deeply moving, others are divided by its slow pacing and perceived lack of dramatic conflict.
| Acting | Christopher Plummer provides a standout, resonant performance that anchors the film's emotional core. | |
| Direction | The director’s use of historical slideshows and non-linear narrative elements creates a distinct, effective aesthetic that complements the film's philosophical tone. | |
| Acting | Mélanie Laurent and Ewan McGregor share a delicate, natural chemistry that effectively portrays the film's nuanced romantic arc. | |
| Pacing | The film's meditative, deliberate pacing is appreciated by those seeking an intimate arthouse experience, but perceived as slow and taxing by viewers expecting a more traditional plot. | |
| Screenplay | The script succeeds as a sincere, non-preachy character study for some, while others find the narrative thread surrounding the protagonist's romance to be dull and lacking in stakes. |