Film Review: The Beaver

Thanks to the bad publicity surrounding the lead actor of this film, its release date was stalled and pushed back a lot. And that lessened the chances of fair reviews as well.

Which is sad, because it isn't only Mel Gibson's acting ability that is showcased to it fullest in this film. Its Jodie Foster's directing and acting, as well as the superb acting of Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence. The script, is quite excellent too, but you wonder how much of the script was used in the end, and how much was pure ad lib, as the delivery is quite natural and unforced.

From the trailer, you get the feeling that the film is serious in the problems that Walter Black has, but then has some levity with the introduction of the beaver puppet, hence the title.

Of course, the film is more serious and more realistic than the trailer would have you believe. A lesson learned the hard way, after watching most of the film: Everybody's Fine. That trailer showed the film to be a comedy. Which it isn't. It's at the other end of the scale, closer to drama/tragedy than comedy.

This film is nowhere near as extreme, but it does take you to darker places than you might expect.

Comments

  1. These three quotes come from other films that are more intense than what is first expected.

    [Toasting] "Capt. Jack Aubrey: To wives and sweethearts.
    Officers: To wives and sweethearts.
    Capt. Jack Aubrey: May they never meet."

    "Rochester: Allow me to be frank at the commencement. You will not like me."

    "Harry Vardon: [to Lord Northcliff] Let me tell you something. I came here to win a trophy. And on the face of it Ted Ray or I should carry it off. Not for you, not for England, but for sheer bloody pride at being the best, *that's* why we do this. And if Mr. Ouimet wins tomorrow, it's because he's the best, because of who he is. Not who his father was, not how much money he's got, because of who he bloody is! And I'll thank you to remember that. And I'll thank you to show the respect a gentleman gives as a matter of course."

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