The Beaver

 Standing on the ledge of a hotel balcony Walter Black is ready to jump. Suffering from major depression for years he’s tried everything including doctors, pills, and eastern philosophies, but nothing seems to work. Tired of the strain it has put on the family, his wife Meredith has finally thrown him out. Walter is sick, really sick and ready to end his life. With the shower rod still attached to his neck after a failed attempt at hanging himself Walter has dragged the rod, shower curtain and all, with him to the ledge. In his hand is a toy hand puppet that he tripped on along the way. Just as he is about to leap, bam, the puppet slugs him in the jaw.
 
Deep down inside Walter is still there but since he was ready to give his life away, “The Beaver” has taken control. With the puppet and a funny voice Walter can now function again, but without The Beaver Walter is worse than ever. The problem is everyone else. Will his colleagues and family learn to accept “The Beaver?”
 
I was very moved by this film and feel that Mel Gibson is very brave to do it. To see a grown man of his stature interact with a hand puppet is really something to see. Mel makes himself extremely vulnerable in this movie and I totally bought into his relationship with The Beaver. It reminded me of a film a long time ago with Anthony Hopkins called Magic. At times it’s a little creepy and at other times it’s scary. Like everyone who meets The Beaver for the first time you ask, “This is a joke, right?”
 
Directed by Jodie Foster, The Beaver is given a light touch. At times it’s funny, at times it’s poignant and at other times it will break your heart. Jodie plays Meredith, wife to Walter Black and Cherry Jones plays the vice president of the toy company Walter owns. It is very interesting to see how the women in his life react differently to The Beaver. His oldest son portrayed by Anton Yelchin wants nothing to do with him. His father embarrasses him and he is trying desperately to destroy anything about himself that remotely resembles his father. His youngest son Henry (Riley Thomas Stewart) loves The Beaver. The Beaver spends time with him, talks and shares his feelings. His dad Walter never did that. As far as Henry is concerned, The Beaver is great.
 
Walter’s oldest son Porter is so miserable at home that for two years he’s been planning his escape. With a knack for composition, Porter has been writing other people’s term papers and charging them dearly for the service. This practice leads him to Norah (Jennifer Lawrence) and her own problems at home. On the surface Nora is perfect, smart, pretty and a cheerleader to boot. But with a closer look her family is just as screwed up as his is. It is good to discover that he is not alone. By seeing family life through her eyes Porter eventually softens towards his father. But will The Beaver ever let his dad return?

Rating: First Run A personal film about how we cope