Mel Gibson playing a depressed middle-aged ‘success story’ (Walter Black – geddit?) who has lost his mojo and is seeking to rediscover himself – now there’s an astute bit o casting! As it turns out, Mel doesn’t rise to the performance heights that might have been expected of him in this role, but he’s OK. Ditto Jodi Foster, who is a bit play-by-numbers as his bemused and beleaguered wife, Meredith (Foster also directed the movie – it might have been prudent to have cast someone else as her character). Riley Thomas Stewart is cute and credible as their young son, Henry. Anton Yelchin as Porter, their older son, does teen angst and paternal resentment quite well. And Jennifer Lawrence brings an air of mystique to her secondary character Norah, Porter’s talented but troubled closet graffiti artist love interest.
Nothing much wrong with the performances, then. Or the direction or general crafting of the film. But there is a fatal flaw: the premise from which the movie takes its title. Continue reading ‘The Beaver’ – Movie Review
Last year, I was invited to attend and review the Good Food and Wine Show in Perth. I was hesitant, and contacted the sponsors to let them know my reservations. I felt that I could not in conscience accept tickets to an event I assumed to be a haven for food wankers, much less promote such an event in a review.