Comedy-drama, co-starring and directed by Jodie Foster, about Mike (Mel Gibson) - a depressed CEO of a toy company who dons a beaver handpuppet to better communicate with his wife (Foster) and his two sons.
While completed for some time, the movie's release has been pushed back due to the controversy surrounding the infamous Mel Gibson's rant, recorded and leaked by his ex-girlfriend.
I saw this on Rialto Cinema's Film Club Night. Not really knowing about all of what's been going on with Mel Gibson, I was not biased against him. I do generally love Jodie Foster. The film was engaging enough - I didn't feel like I had wasted my time, but it's not one that I would want to own. Foster handled the topic of serious depression well. The film does have some really funny moments along with the more serious times when Gibson's character's depression is strong. Both Gibson and Foster were very good in their acting roles.
The Beaver is almost successful, despite the premise of its screenplay, which I was simply unable to accept.
It never quite comes together in a satisfying way, but it’s still a brave, strange, brain-stirring piece of filmmaking.
Less nutty and more moving than its premise suggests, Jodie Foster's on-target dramedy transcends its real-world baggage.
It is the very essence of a misfire, a film so out of step with the times that I'm tempted to say Dick Cheney on a hunting trip couldn't have misfired more.
Not a good movie, but a brave one from a star in trouble.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 29th Sep 2011.
Release date: September 29th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
