The Beaver

Writer: Kyle Killen
Director: Jodie Foster
Starring: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence
Director: Jodie Foster
Starring: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence
Mel Gibson plays a depressed and mentally unstable man who decides to make his only form of communication with others a beaver hand puppet, not exactly an easy sell is it? Yet somehow Kyle Killen and Jodie Foster have managed to take an idea that could have translated into a train wreck of a movie and made it one of the best films of 2011 so far.
Mel Gibson stars as Walter Black a man who the films narration says “Has died but forgotten to take his mind with him” he spends his day sleeping and silent as his family, job and sanity crumble in front of his very eyes. After two unsuccessful suicide attempts he finds solace through a beaver hand puppet who becomes his only form of communication to others. This is a story and a concept that could have been played multiple ways, it could have been a wacky Jim Carrey comedy or it could have been a full on dark Darren Aronofsky thrill ride and while I would actually like to see both of those films, Jodie Foster has delivered a film with moments of genuine emotion and surprising darkness.
The reason why The Beaver works so well is undoubtedly the acting. Despite his off screen comments, there is no denying that Mel Gibson gives a superb lead performance in this film, a performance that if given by any other actor would be very much in Oscar conversation. He effectively portrays Walter’s depressed state as well as excelling in both the more psychotic moments of the film and the subtler more emotional moments.
Anton Yelchin gives a performance that really shows his potential as an actor. As Walter’s older son he is so desperate to not be like his dad that he keeps notes of every single similarity he notices so that he can get rid of them. When his father turns up with a beaver puppet he is less than impressed, Yelchin who delivers the second most impressive performance of the film behind Gibson expertly portrays the transformation of his character throughout the film. His relationship with Jennifer Lawrence’s character is also well played by both actors and never feels as cliché as it could have been. While their relationship sub plot seems like a completely different film and could be argued to be intrusive to the main storyline of the film, both actors are so good in their roles and the scenes with them so well done that it never really ruins the experience of watching the film.
Jodie Foster is able to successfully multi task with her acting and directing abilities. As Walter’s wife she is thoroughly believable in her role and there are moments when you really feel for her as her husband crumbles right in front of her and she cannot do anything about it. Originally I thought that Jodie Foster’s approach to the material would be too safe and pedestrian and that filmmakers like Aronofsky could have got us more into the mindset of Walter however Foster does a much better job behind the camera than I thought she would. In fact there is one moment in the film, which through a combination of Gibson’s fantastic acting and Foster’s direction that genuinely unsettled me. It may not be flashy direction by Foster but it is assured and controlled, surprisingly so giving the small amount of films she has directed.
One flaw the film does have however is that you wish to see more of Walter’s pre beaver state. It seems as if the titular beaver is introduced into the narrative too early into the proceedings and just a little bit more development into Walter’s depression and the potential cause for it would have been nice. A certain story detail about Walter’s younger son is ignored for the rest of the films narrative and a certain narrative detour about a beaver related toy idea from Walter feels slightly rushed and in fact the whole finding fame element of the plot, while perfectly fine to watch and providing a great interview scene was not particularly necessary and apart from one scene that could have easily been handled in a different way, did not really add up to anything.
Ultimately if you can let yourself buy into its wacky central concept and leave any Mel Gibson prejudice at the door, The Beaver is an incredibly unique and affecting time at the movies. In a summer full of sequels, prequels, remakes and 3D it is nice to see a film which such a unique concept, a film that you can genuinely say is unlike anything you have seen.
Mel Gibson stars as Walter Black a man who the films narration says “Has died but forgotten to take his mind with him” he spends his day sleeping and silent as his family, job and sanity crumble in front of his very eyes. After two unsuccessful suicide attempts he finds solace through a beaver hand puppet who becomes his only form of communication to others. This is a story and a concept that could have been played multiple ways, it could have been a wacky Jim Carrey comedy or it could have been a full on dark Darren Aronofsky thrill ride and while I would actually like to see both of those films, Jodie Foster has delivered a film with moments of genuine emotion and surprising darkness.
The reason why The Beaver works so well is undoubtedly the acting. Despite his off screen comments, there is no denying that Mel Gibson gives a superb lead performance in this film, a performance that if given by any other actor would be very much in Oscar conversation. He effectively portrays Walter’s depressed state as well as excelling in both the more psychotic moments of the film and the subtler more emotional moments.
Anton Yelchin gives a performance that really shows his potential as an actor. As Walter’s older son he is so desperate to not be like his dad that he keeps notes of every single similarity he notices so that he can get rid of them. When his father turns up with a beaver puppet he is less than impressed, Yelchin who delivers the second most impressive performance of the film behind Gibson expertly portrays the transformation of his character throughout the film. His relationship with Jennifer Lawrence’s character is also well played by both actors and never feels as cliché as it could have been. While their relationship sub plot seems like a completely different film and could be argued to be intrusive to the main storyline of the film, both actors are so good in their roles and the scenes with them so well done that it never really ruins the experience of watching the film.
Jodie Foster is able to successfully multi task with her acting and directing abilities. As Walter’s wife she is thoroughly believable in her role and there are moments when you really feel for her as her husband crumbles right in front of her and she cannot do anything about it. Originally I thought that Jodie Foster’s approach to the material would be too safe and pedestrian and that filmmakers like Aronofsky could have got us more into the mindset of Walter however Foster does a much better job behind the camera than I thought she would. In fact there is one moment in the film, which through a combination of Gibson’s fantastic acting and Foster’s direction that genuinely unsettled me. It may not be flashy direction by Foster but it is assured and controlled, surprisingly so giving the small amount of films she has directed.
One flaw the film does have however is that you wish to see more of Walter’s pre beaver state. It seems as if the titular beaver is introduced into the narrative too early into the proceedings and just a little bit more development into Walter’s depression and the potential cause for it would have been nice. A certain story detail about Walter’s younger son is ignored for the rest of the films narrative and a certain narrative detour about a beaver related toy idea from Walter feels slightly rushed and in fact the whole finding fame element of the plot, while perfectly fine to watch and providing a great interview scene was not particularly necessary and apart from one scene that could have easily been handled in a different way, did not really add up to anything.
Ultimately if you can let yourself buy into its wacky central concept and leave any Mel Gibson prejudice at the door, The Beaver is an incredibly unique and affecting time at the movies. In a summer full of sequels, prequels, remakes and 3D it is nice to see a film which such a unique concept, a film that you can genuinely say is unlike anything you have seen.
Summary

Superb performances, a unique concept and moments of genuine emotion, terror and drama make The Beaver one of the best films of the year so far.
Rating: 8/10
Rating: 8/10
Written by Movie Parliament Prime Minister
Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Let us know your thoughts in the Your Say section.
Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Let us know your thoughts in the Your Say section.
Below is a photo sent to me by Movie Parliament Minister for Foreign Affairs Arnaud Trouve. I found it so cool and hilarious that I had to include it here, my two favourite films of 2011 so far, in one photo.