Beginners- Mike Mills

Oliver (Ewan McGregor) has been flung into loneliness, pure sad faced boredom that has him talking to a dog that shares a similar story. His best friend Arthur, a beagle, has really grown on him ever since he lost his owner/ Oliver's father Hal (Christopher Plummer). This friendship between man and dog is the only connection either of them have with Hal, so it is hard for them to leave each other's side. The roller skating rink, in the office, at a party, there is no separating these lonely souls. Until one day Oliver meets the best thing that has ever happened to him. Something unfamiliar, but something worth getting used to.

The over arching theme of love is very complicated in Beginners. For the audience the entanglement of Oliver and Anna (Melanie Laurent) seems perfect. They are both lonely and suffering from family problems, but seem to muster up a smile when they are in each other's presence. But there is a blatant seperation between viewer and character in this film, and a clear separation from the ordinary romance genre. There is something more here, and it is often hard to see. Mills leaves it for the viewer to extract out the inner thoughts of each character, because sometimes it is hard to tell with their lack of expression. But Oliver and Anna seem to read each other's minds. Where the conflict arises is in the struggle they have within themselves in knowing what they want, but not feeling comfortable enough to commit. 

Narrated by Oliver this story takes a path through a reflection of his parents in the 40's all the way through his childhood to his current state of mind. His reoccurring historical references parallel nicely to his juxtaposition of his parents relationship and his newly formed fling with Anna. It's give a sense of his constant contemplation of what path his he is supposed to go down, and how looking to the past could maybe help him decide his future. 

Grade: 87% (B+)

Rating: R