Beginners is an unabashed half comedy half drama affair that leaps out of the gate seamlessly intertwining the two, only to eventually – and awkwardly – shift tones and pull the funny-bone woven rug out from under our feet. Gay jokes, depressed jokes and shameless use of a cute dog as comic relief can only carry a film so far. As for the acting, Christopher Plummer is nothing less than charming in his portrayal of a just-out-of-the-closet gay senior while Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent, though believable in their roles as a couple, seem to be in it just for the paycheck. An odd choice, I’d say, for an Opening Night film for the International Film Festival.
Showtimes and Trailer after the jump
Showtimes for Beginners:
THU Apr 21 – 7:00pm (Castro)
