Beginners

Name: Beginners
Genre: Drama
Released: June 3, 2011
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Ewan McGregor, Mélanie Laurent

2011

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Universal acclaim based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 266 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 266 Ratings

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Beginners

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: June 3, 2011 | R

Starring: Christopher Plummer, Ewan McGregor, Mélanie Laurent

Summary: Beginners tells the bittersweet story of a man who learns that his terminally ill father is gay and has a young lover. (Focus Features)

Director: Mike Mills

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Calvin Wilson

Jun 24, 2011

A lovably quirky comedy-drama with a rhythm all its own. Read full review

100

Diego Semerene

May 31, 2011

One of the most distinct pleasures of Beginners is the way it puts together fragments of someone's life-presumably the filmmaker's, although little does it matter-with humility, and without vying for some complete whole. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

May 29, 2011

The movie darts, dreams, and sometimes seems to dance. The great Plummer, meanwhile, creates an inspiring, fully rounded man in late bloom, and McGregor responds with a performance to match. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

May 31, 2011

A movie with an unflinchingly tough heart. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jun 3, 2011

Beginners is filled with crises of identity, but underneath it all is a beautifully humane, sweet and intelligent movie that knows exactly what it is at every moment. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Jun 3, 2011

This superbly acted and ultimately disarming dual coming-out comedy-drama -- which turns out to be semi-autobiographical -- certainly grows on you, despite all of the twee touches. Read full review

Ben Sachs

Jun 9, 2011

Mills pulls off the nonchronological structure with uncommon sensitivity; unfortunately, he also confuses sensitivity with preciousness (recurring scenes show the hero confiding in a Jack Russell terrier). Read full review

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User Reviews

andrea_paul_89

Jun 3, 2011

i only wish I could give this film a higher score than 'ten'. Beginners is quirky but beautiful--a small, creative, subtle, character driven kind of film, while still successfully moving the audience. It is comparable to modern romantic comedies like (500) Days of Summer, although morei only wish I could give this film a higher score than 'ten'. Beginners is quirky but beautiful--a small, creative, subtle, character driven kind of film, while still successfully moving the audience. It is comparable to modern romantic comedies like (500) Days of Summer, although more mature smart. Classic Woody Allen films come to mind when attempting to describe this gem (partially due to the prevalent old-school jazz soundtrack), although Beginners lacks the overt neurosis (which may be a positive depending on one's opinion). It grabs your heart and mind and refuses to let go, proving that Beginners will be a film that I continue to think about and admire for a long, long time. Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent, and Christopher Plummer are all visions. Highly recommended.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

jeugenio

Aug 7, 2011

Excellent Movie... thoroughly enjoyed the quirky characters and by the way Melanie Laurent is stunning. The relationship between Melanie Laurent and Ewan McGreggor is interesting as is the way Ewan is able to come to terms with his gay father, Christopher Plummer.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

adam_ay

Dec 16, 2011

This movie is a very beautiful unpretentious romance. The characters are indeed very interesting, which, i believe, is made possible by the amazing actors who play them.
It puts us very stealthily out of our comfort zone, making us question things like life and love. People should give it aThis movie is a very beautiful unpretentious romance. The characters are indeed very interesting, which, i believe, is made possible by the amazing actors who play them.
It puts us very stealthily out of our comfort zone, making us question things like life and love. People should give it a shot even if just for the unusual experience Beginners grant us with it's smart non-linear story.
I do understand some critics to this movie as being slow or boring though. I think that both cinema and life itself has gotten so spectacularized (in a Guy Debordian sense) that we are somehow surprised by the calm and simple atmosphere posed in this film. But that's something we should dislike in our society, not in art. Actually, it's the subtle construction that makes this piece so good.
(I don't think I was very clear, but I'm sure some of you will understand; anyway... there are always other reviews)… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

wishmaster

Dec 16, 2011

Fresh, witty, original, my sister told me that the movie was boring but she is crazy, this movie was wonderful.! Plummer or Plummer fantastic, MÃ©lanie Laurent very good, and MacGregor great.!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BKM

Dec 20, 2011

The film's indie vibe and quirkiness prevent it from being a truly immersive experience, but the superb performances from Plummer and McGregor provide an emotional kick nevertheless.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FranzHcritic

Aug 26, 2015

I found the film, while at times touching and warm, to also be somewhat aloof in its message. It was a slow film that has many-rather pointless-montages of photos of the past. The actors did what they could, their utmost, but I feel that 'Beginners' is slightly undernourished, which takesI found the film, while at times touching and warm, to also be somewhat aloof in its message. It was a slow film that has many-rather pointless-montages of photos of the past. The actors did what they could, their utmost, but I feel that 'Beginners' is slightly undernourished, which takes away a lot of interest a person may invest in this film, myself included.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

killingspree

Feb 6, 2012

A pointless pretentious, arty, waste of time. You don't care about the characters, the acting is sub-par and there's no plot or angle. I don't know how anyone can like this garbage. I do no recommend you wasting a minute of your time watching this trash.

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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33	#33 Best Movie of 2011
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 2011