Beginners

OLD PEOPLE HAVE SEX!! OMGWTFBBQZXY!!1!1!!!!!

Nominated for:
Best supporting actor (Christopher Plummer)

Let's start this round off with a good one, ok? This is a lovely film. Elegant, graceful, honest, touching... its the whole package. The acting is superb (Melanie Laurent and Ewan McGregor deserve nominations as well), and the beautiful art direction ties together an otherwise non-linear story. Christopher Plummer is spot on, as always. There's also an adorable dog that speaks in subtitles to Ewan McGregor, and some subtle jabs at indy musicians and hipsters. All good things, in my book.

I'm so pleased that this film picked up a nomination, though it should have gotten way more. Don't let the trailers deceive you - this is a movie about a man who is dying (that's not a spoiler, its the opening line of the film). I pretty much sobbed throughout the whole thing. Metaphorically sobbed, I mean. I don't cry - my tear ducts turned to dust a long time ago.

Also, this is a great example of a film that uses voice-over narration properly - that is, to propel the story and add information, instead of just explaining the images in front of you. And there are some stunning images in this gorgeous little piece of cinema. Check out director Mike Mills talking about the locations they used.

Enjoy! I promise the next review will be savage and full of bile.

Eli