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Beginners

Play trailer Poster for Beginners R 2011 1h 45m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 157 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After his mother dies, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is stunned when his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer), recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, comes out of the closet. When Hal passes away a few years later, Oliver grows depressed, struggling with his failing career as an artist while constantly remembering his childhood and time spent with his dad. Oliver's loneliness is eased when he meets actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent), but their relationship is threatened by their mutual fear of commitment.
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Beginners

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Critics Consensus

Wearing its twee heart on its sleeve, Beginners explores the depths of modern, multi-generational romance with wit and depth.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 31, 2018
It's OK, I suppose, and quite sweet. But I couldn't love it for proper, probably because its characters are always more interested in themselves than we are in them, plus it's just too self-consciously tricksy. Go to Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 8, 2017
A
... at its core, Beginners is about finding happiness, even at the end. Go to Full Review Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Jul 12, 2013
Mike Mills treats love and loss with a disarming tenderness and a refusal of sentimentality that make Beginners, his second feature, something of an anomaly among male identity flicks. What a finely wrought, wryly funny, transcendently sad movie this is. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Jul 31, 2024
3/4
I wish [Mike] Mills had dug even deeper. I found Beginners charming, but not as moving as I expected. Still, I would recommend this delicately directed film. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Mar 6, 2023
4/4
Mills has delivered a moving film worth celebrating, one whose idiosyncrasies are nothing short of charming, and whose small story is eclipsed by its considerable heart. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 15, 2023
3.5/4
In any other movie, the key character of Arthur, a soulful Jack Russell terrier, would draw all the attention away from the two-legged protagonists, but the performances by the three leads are so superb that everyone is able to share in the glory. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 Beginners = a *4* star movie! See more Mickey B @Mickerdoo Jul 7, 2026 Obvious that moving in was going to be a hard change from their adventure dating. Liked the cast and interjections the most but didn’t vibe. See more Dima I @Dima.Issa Dec 7, 2025 Full of whimsy, sentiment, charm, and good acting. Feels like watching something truly original - where you feel invited to the party. Purposeful. Without pretense. Will give you great Halloween costume ideas. Watch whenever you need a lighter heart. Great performances all around, especially from the jack russell terrier. Christopher Plummer was extraordinary. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 11, 2025 Academy Award winner in 2012 for Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer, who lived to be an old man after being given the award). 84th Annual Academy Awards ceremony. See more Faiz D @RT95588871 Aug 29, 2024 A wonderful, touching and clever indie film. See more dave s @RT68722908 Dec 27, 2022 With a past shrouded in sorrow, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is having difficulty finding joy and satisfaction in life. After his mother's death from a terminal illness, his father Hal (Christopher Plummer) decides to pursue his personal happiness by coming out of the closet, only to be diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly afterwards. Oliver finds solace in the arms Anna (Melanie Laurent) and his father's dog Arthur (who steals every scene), but finds that overcoming emotional hurdles is no easy task. As always, director Mike Mills provides the audience with fresh insights into relationships and gives us characters that feel like they should be difficult to relate to, but somehow aren't. It is fresh, original, and no where near as depressing as it all sounds. See more Read all reviews
Beginners

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Mills

Director

Ewan McGregor

Oliver

Christopher Plummer

Hal

Mélanie Laurent

Anna

Goran Visnjic

Andy

Kai Lennox

Elliot

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Beginners

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Movie Info

Synopsis After his mother dies, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is stunned when his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer), recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, comes out of the closet. When Hal passes away a few years later, Oliver grows depressed, struggling with his failing career as an artist while constantly remembering his childhood and time spent with his dad. Oliver's loneliness is eased when he meets actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent), but their relationship is threatened by their mutual fear of commitment.
Director
Mike Mills
Producer
Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Miranda de Pencier, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Mark Levinson
Screenwriter
Mike Mills
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Olympus Pictures, Northwood Productions (II), Parts & Labor
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.8M
Runtime
1h 45m
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