Review - The Beaver

Chipping Away Life’s Problems


Depression is not a fun topic by any means. Many suffer with mild depression on a regular basis. For extreme cases of depression, it can be something that tears families apart.


Walter Black (Mel Gibson) is suffering from severe depression. It’s not important how he hit this place, but it is very important to see the effects on his family. His wife Meredith (Jodie Foster) has kicked him out. His son Porter (Anton Yelchin) sees many of the behaviors of his dad happening in his own life. And his youngest son Henry (Riley Thomas Stewart) just wonders what is wrong with his dad.


Just when Walter has hit rock bottom he comes across a beaver hand puppet. A weird curiousity makes him pick it up and when he fails at his attempts to end it all, the beaver becomes Walter. Now he finds the courage and motivation to deal with things in a whole new light.


The Beaver begins embodying all that Walter wants to be in a boss, a husband and a father. And it’s through the beaver that Walter begins to revive his lost life. But this can’t last forever, and eventually Walter and his family and friends need to confront what is real. Can he overcome and return to his life?


There are many in this world that will immediately discount this film because of the involvement of Mel Gibson, but should they? I hope not. This is an acting performance that really lets Mel shine and if you can remove yourself from offscreen Mel, you will see that. He becomes Walter Black. He utilizes his acting ability to have a little piece of his personality exposed through his person and the whole of his personality through a puppet.


Jodie Foster works through her roles as an actor and a director, allowing quiet and funny moments to dot the heartbreaking life of a man. She does a wonderful job pulling the heart strings of viewers.


Some of the best supporting roles come from Anton Yelchin as the kid who just doesn’t want to be like dad and Jennifer Lawrence as the girl that seems to have it all together, but has more beneath her surface.


Despite some feel good moments and occasional laughs, this is not a fun movie by any means. As a character study it works wonders. The Beaver is a surprisingly touching tale that will have you chipping away life’s problems.




B+


The Beaver
Summit Entertainment


Director: Jodie Foster
Cast: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence


Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, some disturbing content, sexuality and language including a drug reference.
Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes