Movie: "Beginners"

"Beginners"  might be the best movie I have seen in the last year, along with "Midnight in Paris."  (Well, "The Descendents" was pretty good, too.) If you haven't seen it, why not?  If you have seen it, you know what I mean.  It's quirky, funny, sad, real. 

At the end of the movie, as the credits were rolling, I was reminded that the character of Hal was played by Christopher Plummer.  That's how good is he, you forget there is an actor there playing this person.  He was simply Hal. 

The story is simple, an older man, in his 70's, buries his wife and then comes out as a gay man.  His son, in his late thirties, isn't sure what to make of this turn of events.  The older man, Hal, has only a short time to live and makes the most of that time.  It sounds maudlin and sad.  It isn't. It's happy, funny and a little sad but mostly it is real.  We all are struggling with our lives, trying to figure out what to do, trying to get it right.  That's all these people are doing as well. 

Ewan McGregor plays the slightly befuddled son, Oliver, who has major commitment issues himself. He is beginning a new relationship that he isn't sure he wants but knows he must pursue.  Neither he nor his father have been honest about themselves and their respective lives.  Now, as they confront Hal's impending death and Oliver's life beyond that, both of them have to come to terms with their internal demons, with each other and mostly with the future.  It's an excellent journey. 

In one scene, Oliver walks Hal's dog through its new home,  Oliver's house, pointing out the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom. It is one of the most authentic moments I have seen in film in a long time.  It's what we all do, trying to get it right, talking out loud in order to not face the silence, hoping that by comforting another living thing we can find comfort ourselves.  In fifteen seconds, it captures the movie's main point: we are just trying to be OK. Plus, the dog is charming, and has wonderful lines, in little dialogue balloons over its head.   Sounds stupid but it works.

Really, go out and rent this movie.  It will make you happy.