The Beaver

Name: The Beaver
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: May 6, 2011
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Anton Yelchin, Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

See All

6.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Beaver

Now Playing: The Beaver

Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: May 6, 2011 | PG-13

Starring: Anton Yelchin, Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson

Summary: Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can't seem to get himself back on track... until a beaver hand puppet enters his life. [Summit Entertainment]

Director: Jodie Foster

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 91 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir

May 5, 2011

I suppose the perfect ending to the chapter would be to report that The Beaver is a masterpiece. It isn't quite, but it does offer an astonishing and resonant performance by Gibson, who spends most of the movie playing two simultaneous characters, often in the same shot. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

May 6, 2011

This bizarre little movie is all over the place as drama - but genuinely compelling as a one-of-a-kind piece of public self-flagellation. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

May 19, 2011

Gibson's performance, at times subtle, at times showy and never less than remarkable, is what makes The Beaver worth seeing. Read full review

Jen Chaney

May 5, 2011

In a triumph of cinema over celebrity gossip, The Beaver mostly makes us forget about Gibson's madman persona and simply draws us into the story that he and director Jodie Foster, who also plays Walter's wife, Meredith, want to tell. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

May 6, 2011

Oddly engrossing, off-kilter drama. Read full review

Rick Groen

May 6, 2011

Clearly, the screenplay is looking for some black comedy here, but Foster's direction is too earnest to locate it. Read full review

David Denby

May 2, 2011

As director, Foster, working with Kyle Killen's screenplay, treats the goofy premise with a literal earnestness-as a family drama about separation and reunion-that seems all wrong. A little wit would have helped. Read full review

SEE ALL 40 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

slayde11

Aug 1, 2016

While this movie contains some comic elements, it is most certainly not a "comedy" -- but it is a very insightful and poignant movie. The plot device of a beaver puppet is used to convey the ways various characters (and hint - all of us) "dam up" crucial parts of themselves. And across theWhile this movie contains some comic elements, it is most certainly not a "comedy" -- but it is a very insightful and poignant movie. The plot device of a beaver puppet is used to convey the ways various characters (and hint - all of us) "dam up" crucial parts of themselves. And across the board, every performance is impressive -- from the tragically-late-and-great Anton Yelchin as elder son Porter, who would like to dissociate himself from Dad completely; to the always-brilliant Jodie Foster (also director) as a mom and wife at her wits' end; to the unexpectedly astonishing Mel Gibson as the two-in-one character of Walter Black and ... a beaver hand-puppet. Yes, Gibson is tasked with playing two completely different but oddly fused characters, most often in the same frame. He pulls off a flawless cockney accent; plus amusingly droll bits, incredibly poignant moments, and practically everything in between. A peculiar premise, maybe -- but a very, very good little film. Cherry Jones and Jennifer Lawrence round out the cast quite capably and engagingly.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SammyWong

May 6, 2011

I've always known Mel Gibson was a talented actor but I had no idea to what degree until I saw this film. His portrayal of Walter Black is ineffably poignant and Oscar worthy in my humble opinion. Kudos to Jodie Foster for pulling off a film that took great courage to make.

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

DavidP

May 17, 2011

Titles are so important! This is an very original and wonderful film that is unfortunately saddled with a very frivolous sounding title. It sounds silly and cartoonish (though not inappropriate) and is therefore misleading. This is a serious and very well acted film that alas, will do poorTitles are so important! This is an very original and wonderful film that is unfortunately saddled with a very frivolous sounding title. It sounds silly and cartoonish (though not inappropriate) and is therefore misleading. This is a serious and very well acted film that alas, will do poor box office. Too bad. A better title would have helped.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Halfwelshman

Feb 5, 2012

Quite understandably for a film about the affects of depression, The Beaver isn't the most cheerful viewing experience. Yes there is the odd laugh to be had, but generally, it maintains a rather, dark, sombre tone throughout. Mel Gibson, in one of the finest, most complex and pitch-perfectQuite understandably for a film about the affects of depression, The Beaver isn't the most cheerful viewing experience. Yes there is the odd laugh to be had, but generally, it maintains a rather, dark, sombre tone throughout. Mel Gibson, in one of the finest, most complex and pitch-perfect performances of his career, plays Walter Black, a seriously depressed owner of a toy company who uses a battered old beaver hand puppet as an outlet to communicate with the world, and as a tool to escape from the clutches of depression. Gibson handles the role with great respect for the subject matter, never over-playing the oddness of his character, but sensitively acknowledging Walter's problems and the only way he is able to deal with them. The rest of the cast also make their mark on the film, with Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence all impressing as Walter's increasingly frustrated wife Meredith, his alienated and depressed eldest son Porter, and Norah, the secretive and troubled romantic interest of Porter respectively. While the main focus of the story is Walter dealing with depression, the side-plots involving the other core characters are all compelling, and all add extra depth to the story. Jodie Foster's minimalistic but highly competent direction, and Kyle Killen's honest and emotive screenplay also help to make the film hugely enjoyable. My only real criticism of The Beaver is the jarringly over-the-top and unnecessarily rushed final act. Here, the usually level-headed Foster seems determined to tie up all loose ends as quickly as possible whilst giving the film a shock ending, which it really doesn't need. Up until this point, The Beaver's leisurely pace and very gradual development of its characters were what made it work as a film, and the sudden change of pace and tone doesn't quite fit with what came before. Despite this, The Beaver remains a brave, intelligent, and unconventional family drama, with a bit of black comedy thrown in, that deals with an often ignored or misunderstood subject with real care and insight. It's just such a tragedy this project surfaced when it did, as I'm sure it would have received more recognition had Mel Gibson not provoked such controversy in the headlines in recent years. This should have been the crowning glory of his hugely varied career, not his apology to the world.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

hoops2448

Sep 17, 2011

Mel Gibson is many things. Be them a little nuts or just plain silly but it cannot be argued that he isn't an incredibly talented actor. Walter Black may well be his best character as he skillfully portrays him as someone clearly searching for the light at the end of the tunnel as it keepsMel Gibson is many things. Be them a little nuts or just plain silly but it cannot be argued that he isn't an incredibly talented actor. Walter Black may well be his best character as he skillfully portrays him as someone clearly searching for the light at the end of the tunnel as it keeps getting further away due to his imploding family. However its not just Gibson who is excellent with both Jennifer Lawrence and Anton Yelchin giving sensational performances as people bubbling under the surface, unable to express the pain within. The film isn't meant to raise the roof so it doesn't aspire to but a little more acceptance of the ludicrous nature of the story could have helped lighten what can be seen as a maudlin ending while still providing something to think about when you finish.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

asthobaskoro

Jul 27, 2011

Outstanding and charismatic performance by The Beaver, and also Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. Beautifully directed, touching story, but not enough satisfying. Screen become black when outstanding trio are going off.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

May 20, 2019

Ce bon vieux Mel fait ce qu'il peut, remis en scène par Jodie Foster elle-même au four et au moulin ici mais qui ne parvient pas à tirer quelque chose de cette espèce de petite comédie asthmatique sur la dépression de l'homme qui parle à sa marionnette (sans doute une analyseCe bon vieux Mel fait ce qu'il peut, remis en scène par Jodie Foster elle-même au four et au moulin ici mais qui ne parvient pas à tirer quelque chose de cette espèce de petite comédie asthmatique sur la dépression de l'homme qui parle à sa marionnette (sans doute une analyse transactionnelle avec la peluche).

Ces atermoiements et ces vaines gesticulations sentimentalo-niaises nous en touchent une sans faire bouger l'autre alors qu'on lève assez rapidement les yeux au plafond et qu'on tente de trouver quelque prétexte à sourire, un brin crispé nous devons l'avouer, devant cette connerie ni faite ni à faire.

En outre, le film s'égare sur la liaison du fiston avec Jennifer Lawrence -encore débutante ici- l'actrice à tête de mongolienne qui n'a pour elle que les rares moments où elle montre éventuellement son gros cul dans sa filmographie merdoyante qui a suivi ce navet à dormir debout. Mauvais ventriloque, ce bon vieux Mel merde à mort tandis que Jodie sort les rames à qui-mieux-mieux, essayant de contrôler les dégâts de ce film-épave qui coule à pic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS