The film Beginners is coming to Criterion Collection as part of a trilogy, offering fans a great reason to re-watch this wonderfully crafted comedy-drama. Director and writer Mike Mills had already proven his talent before making this Oscar-winning film, and he’s continued to create excellent work ever since.
The other two films in the trilogy further showcase Mike Mills’ skill, and both 20th Century Women and C’mon C’mon are worthy of recognition. The three films together create a wonderful, understated collection of dramedies, perfect for the Criterion Collection. Still, it’s Beginners that truly put Mike Mills on the map as a filmmaker.
Mike Mills’ film Beginners captures a very specific mood – the quiet, honest style of independent films that explore life’s complexities. It beautifully portrays how life can be simultaneously sad, funny, and deeply moving. With a new release from Criterion, it’s a great time to watch or discover this standout film.
How Beginners Juggles Three Love Stories At Once
Mike Mills started his career making short films, then moved on to documentaries and fictional stories. He truly shines when blending drama and comedy, as he does brilliantly in Beginners. The film is a deeply touching story that feels just as meaningful as his other work, but it’s also uniquely vulnerable and surprisingly funny.
The film centers on Oliver Fields, played by Ewan McGregor, a thoughtful graphic designer who struggles with relationships due to his parents’ difficult history. We see Oliver at different points in his life, but the story mainly explores his connections with his father, Hal, and a woman named Anna.
At its heart, the film is about Oliver becoming more comfortable sharing his life with both of his parents, particularly his father. Hal, after years of distance from his son, has come to terms with being gay, and this allows him to finally build a connection with Oliver. Christopher Plummer delivers one of his finest performances – it’s a charming yet poignant portrayal that rightfully earned him an Academy Award.
Oliver’s budding relationship with Anna gently encourages him to open up, letting him explore his own feelings and grow into the loving person his father struggled to be throughout his life. It’s a beautiful love story that feels genuine and is made even more special by how well it fits within everything else happening in Oliver’s journey.
Beginners Does What Few Dramedies Ever Could
The film Beginners tackles a potentially overly sentimental story, but director Mills – and a fantastic cast – keeps it grounded and genuinely moving. It comes from a time when many independent films tried to be edgy and realistic, often feeling forced or simply not very enjoyable.
Some people struggle to express genuine feelings when dealing with the many facets of love – whether it’s for family, romantic partners, or themselves.
Beginners truly hits all the right notes. It’s a charming and heartwarming film with a touch of melancholy. It evokes a similar feeling to movies like 20th Century Women and C’mon C’mon, but it’s more focused and gentle, making it especially memorable.
These movies all beautifully prioritize emotion, making the overall feeling just as important as the plot or characters. Although the later films are bigger in scope and feature larger casts, the gentle and heartfelt moments in Beginnings are particularly memorable and make it stand out.
Christopher Plummer’s warm and optimistic performance brings a delightful energy to the film, balancing out its more serious moments. The story beautifully captures the vibrant connection between Hal and Oliver as Hal helps Oliver embrace life, even with limited time left. This careful balance of tone authentically reflects the complexities of the human experience.
Beginners Has Aged As Gracefully As Hal Did
Mike Mills is a remarkably subtle director who excels at capturing genuine emotion in his characters. He portrays their vulnerabilities without glossing over their flaws or difficult sides, giving them a realistic and relatable complexity that avoids cliché. His films make characters feel truly human.
Oliver might seem like a dull or disappointing character, but Ewan McGregor imbues him with a consistent undercurrent of sadness and vulnerability. Similarly, Mélanie Laurent’s character could easily fall into the cliché of a quirky, idealized woman, but the script grounds her with a believable emotional fragility and sense of isolation, preventing her from feeling like a stereotype.
Plummer delivers one of his finest performances as a romantic character who’s learning to be vulnerable and open with his feelings. The screenplay by Mills feels both classic and remarkably relevant, capturing a moment in 2010 when cultural conversations around representation in the arts were undergoing significant change.
Beginners is a special film that beautifully balances humor and heartbreak, avoiding the overly sentimental pitfalls common in this type of movie. If you already enjoy director Mike Mills’ films, particularly his ‘I’ll Remind You Of Everything’ series, then this one is essential. But even if you’re new to his work, Beginners is a worthwhile watch that will likely resonate with you.
2026-07-29 22:28