Father and son Hal and Oliver are beginners at relationships even at this late stage in their lives. Hal is 75, newly widowed, and declares himself gay and determined to make the most of the time he has left. Oliver on the other hand is 38, single, with a string of affairs in his past as he is afraid to commit. They are very similar in the way that both their lives seem broken and in need of fixing.
Hal’s voyage of discovery as a newly out gay man is a joyous journey, and as this is the movies after all, he ends up with a very handsome much younger man, who whilst not monogamous, is clearly in love with his (Number 1) boyfriend. Oliver has the same good fortune in easily meeting his destiny when he is literally picked up by a stunning woman who is attracted to his big sad eyes. His journey with her combines joy with confusion and we are never sure if they will succeed in making their relationship work.
The story takes place after Hal has died after a pernicious and fatal dose of cancer, and is told in a series of flash backs mixed with the current time. Hal seems to revel in the possibilities that come with a new beginning, where Oliver’s apprehension is maddeningly frustrating compounded by his inability to comprehend his father’s new happiness after a sad sterile marriage to his mother.
The credit for the fact that this story is so believable is very much due to the casting of the irrepressible Christopher Plummer who is delightful as Hal, and the sizzling electric chemistry between a charming Ewan Mcgregor (Oliver) and the delectable Melanie Laurent as Anna his girlfriend. (Every new screen appearance of Ms Laurent enforces my belief that she is going to be a major star.) And mention too for Mary Page Keller who made big of the small but important role of Hal’s late wife.
This is the second feature from talented filmmaker Mike Mills (‘Thumbsucker’) who based this on a very similar story in his own life. I guess he is no longer a ‘beginner’ as since 2009 he’s been married to another successful indie filmmaker Miranda July. I really liked his very stylized presentation and the very skilled and interesting editing …… and who wouldn’t love Arthur the dog who added his own touch of humor to this drama. I did however leave the theater a tad under-whelmed slightly irritated at what I thought was Oliver’s lack of perspective, but on reflection as I gathered my thoughts I think I now appreciate his viewpoint and stance a little more.
