Beginners

Name: Beginners
Released: 2011-6-3
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Mary Page Keller

Beginners

R
1h 43m
2011

85%

age 17+

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Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor (Star Wars I, II, III), Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer (Inside Man), and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds) star in Beginners, an uplifting comedy about how funny and transformative life can be. When graphic designer Oliver (McGregor) meets free-spirited Anna (Laurent) shortly after his father (Plummer) has passed away, Oliver realizes just how much of a beginner he is when it comes to long-lasting romantic love. Memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 45 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life, encourage Oliver to open himself up to the potential of a true relationship. Inspired by writer/director Mike Mills’ own father, it’s an original love story that critics cheer is “smart, poignant and often hilarious!” (Karen Durbin, Elle)

Director:

Mike Mills

Producer:

Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Miranda de Pencier, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen

Writer:

Mike Mills

Cast:

Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Mary Page Keller

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

85%

Critics Consensus: Wearing its twee heart on its sleeve, Beginners explores the depths of modern, multi-generational romance with wit and depth.

Reviews

Richard Crouse

Topping off the tender tale is the cutest on-screen dog since Benji who provides unique insight into Oliver's emotional maturation.

January 31, 2021

FULL REVIEW

TheIndependentCritic.com

Richard Propes

At the very least, an Independent Spirit Award nomination should be assured here as Plummer embodies soulfulness and celebration and remarkable humanity all at once.

September 2, 2020

FULL REVIEW

Charleston City Paper

Felicia Feaster

Beginners manages to charm despite a tendency toward art-house cuddliness.

January 17, 2020

FULL REVIEW

Three Imaginary Girls

Amie Simon

The result is a ton of laughter, tears, a surprising out-of-character performance by Goran Visnjic as Plummer's boyfriend, and an adorable canine with more personality than most people.

McGregor and Laurent are outstanding.

January 8, 2019

FULL REVIEW

Common Sense Media

age 17+

Common Sense Says

Touching gay-themed dramedy about love and loss.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this touching, mature indie dramedy -- based loosely on the experiences of writer/director Mike Mills -- revolves around a father coming out of the closet at the age of 75 and proceeding to live life as a gay man to the fullest despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The movie has some frank but not overt sexuality and sexual references; though sex is discussed, nudity is limited to one female breast. Language includes several uses of "f--k." Characters tend to drink fairly often, but not to drunkenness, and the father takes several prescription drugs for his illness (one sequence shows him high on Prednisone).