Beginners

Play trailer

Beginners

R

2011

1h 45m

Drama

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/31/2018

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

09/08/2017

A

... at its core, Beginners is about finding happiness, even at the end.

Go to Full Review

Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

07/12/2013

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

07/31/2024

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

03/06/2023

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

02/15/2023

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

Dima I

@Dima.Issa 5h

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

Pride in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Sexual Content and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christopher Plummer will be missed all over the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Faiz D

08/29/2024

A wonderful, touching and clever indie film.

See more

PridePosterStudios

09/20/2023

Arthur the Jack Russell: ally, dog of few words, Oscar-winner.

See more

tomato S

08/27/2023

brilliant.. loved the movie soo much.

See more

KEVIN C

02/18/2023

Beautiful film about a father and son relationship starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer. Plummet's character comes out of the closet after his wife of 40 plus years passes on, and begins living the life he longed for his whole life but his advanced age and health don't give him too much time. Meanwhile McGregor's character has his own struggles finding love. Really wonderful performances from the leads as well as Melanie Laurent. Touching, funny and the style of storytelling is quite enjoyable and whimsical.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Mike Mills

Director

Ewan McGregor

Oliver

Christopher Plummer

Hal

Mélanie Laurent

Anna

Goran Visnjic

Andy

Kai Lennox

Elliot

Love Is Strange

93%

66%

Love Is Strange

Watchlist

A Single Man

86%

81%

A Single Man

Watchlist

A Home at the End of the World

50%

67%

A Home at the End of the World

Watchlist

Dallas Buyers Club

92%

91%

Dallas Buyers Club

Watchlist

My Summer of Love

90%

69%

My Summer of Love

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now