The Beaver (2011)
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Cast
as Walter Black
as Meredith Black
as Porter Black
as Henry Black
as Norah
as Jared
as Vice President
as Hector
as Norah's Mom
as Volunteer Dad
as Skeptical Man
as Man
as Waiter
as Reporter
as Nurse
as Nurse
as Himself
as Himself
as Herself
as Prosthetic Technician
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Critic Reviews for The Beaver
All Critics (175) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (107) | Rotten (68) | DVD (2)
It's a bummer of a movie -- dark and at cross-purposes with both itself and any image do-over [Gibson] might be seeking.
Beyond the initial idea, this is kid gloves filmmaking, when what we need is a bit more of the gloves-off stuff.
The acting throughout -- Foster, Lawrence, Yelchin -- is superb, and this may well be Gibson's finest performance, just as it's Foster's most balanced job of directing.
The film is amusing, then melancholy, then weirdly funny, then not. It's a quiet, measured work.
With The Beaver, Gibson shows that for all his personal turmoil, he still may have a career in the twilight years.
For a film about the real problem of mental illness, it never feels authentic. Depression is not something neatly tied up. If this is meant as an allegory, it's vague and unconvincing.
Audience Reviews for The Beaver
Like most viewers you won't know whether to laugh or cry when a grown man starts to deal through a puppet to deal with his depression. The tendency is that this is a more serious film than it looks. Sadly, it doesn't quite reach the audience with what it set out to do. The fantastic final scene hints at what could have been and makes you think much more fondly of the film than the 90 minutes before that.
Super Reviewer
Firmly directed by Jodie Foster and with a heartfelt performance by Gibson, this is an interesting drama about a depressed man suffering from schizophrenia and projecting part of his personality into a puppet. Even so, the script is unfocused and has an easy, sappy conclusion.
Super Reviewer
Thanks to Foster's directing, there is a superb balance between a serious drama and a dark comedy. This makes 'The Beaver' both an enjoyable and emotional movie. Along with strong performances by Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, this film really does make you aware of how easily depression can have an impact on families. Overall 'The Beaver' shows that Foster still makes a promising director, along with Gibson still capable of having a strong leading role.
Super Reviewer
The Beaver Quotes
| Norah: | So, while everything may not always be okay, one thing I know is true: You do not have to be alone. |
| Meredith Black: | I came to the party late, but I have never seen anything else that was me, as close as me |
| Meredith Black: | I came to the party late, but I have never seen anything else that was me, as close as me. |
| Walter Black: | People seem to love a train wreck when itâ??s not happening to them. |
| Walter Black: | People seem to love a train wreck when it's not happening to them. |
| Walter Black: | Starting over isnâ??t crazy. Crazy is being miserable and walking around half asleep, numb, day after day after day. Crazy is pretending to be happy. Pretending that the way things are is the way they have to be for the rest of your bleeding life. |
| Walter Black: | Starting over isn't crazy. Crazy is being miserable and walking around half asleep, numb, day after day after day. Crazy is pretending to be happy. Pretending that the way things are is the way they have to be for the rest of your bleeding life. |
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