Beginners

Choosing to move gracefully back and forth through time, Director Mike Mills paints a beautiful picture of love as a father and son both abandon their pasts and the only blueprints they had for intimacy and each discover real love.

The story begins in the middle. Hal (Christopher Plummer) has just revealed to his son Oliver (Ewan McGregor) that he has always been gay and after burying his wife of 40 years, is now joyfully ready (at 75) to live the life he was intended to live. He had known he was gay but agreed with Oliver’s mother to “ignore” it and build a life with her and Oliver. Well, he held up his end of the bargain – 38 years of an emotionless, shell of a marriage that left a confusing model for Oliver to follow. As a result, at 38, Oliver still struggles with hanging on to relationships.

Only after his father Hal discovers love with younger man Andy (a playful gem played by Goran Visnjic)  does Oliver  finally see a side of his father that he never knew existed – an emotional, honest, happy soul  who can now truly love without fear.  Oliver watches closely as his father navigates this new trail. He is like a child making music for the first time on a piano - wide eyed in wonder at the enormity of what lies beyond the door he has just opened. This new man, at 75, proves to be the real model for Oliver to follow. Taking a cue from his father’s newfound “joie de vivre”, Ewan takes the beginner’s baby steps to finding love with Anna (fabulous quirky doll Melanie Laurent).

Christopher Plummer is superb as Hal. He is dignified, playful, vulnerable and witty. His chemistry with Ewan McGregor is genuine and touching. McGregor’s portrayal of a son with an excess of baggage was believable.

So they say a lack of experience can be a drawback? I beg to differ. When you take on something completely new, something you have never tried before or ever seen done, how could you not jump in with both feet and an open mind? Experts encourage us to take on new activities – urge us to be beginners at something because it challenges us to let go and open our minds – an exercise that can only end well.

 For those that think staying married “for the kids” is the right thing to do – see this movie. Our actions speak louder than our words.

A Rave Review loved this story and gave it a 31/2 out of 5.