Movie #806 "The Beaver" --- I applaud an attempt at dealing with mental illness (in this case depression) in a film in other ways besides throwing drugs at the problem, but this film lacks sincerity and reality. Perhaps if the family had accepted the "treatment (in this case, a puppet), like they did in the wonderful film "Lars and the real girl" and his mental illness wasn't "Played for humor" like scenes in this film, with Walter brushing the beaver's teeth, the film would have been more viable ---- if Gibson didn't chew up scenery like he normally does, in his insincere way and try to manipulate the audience to feel sorry for him....... if his character doesn't have to appear on t.v. and have an interview on the today show --- if he didn't have to parade the puppet in a huge forum, this film might have gotten true emotions across --- the only time it does that, is when it is dealing with the two young kids, played very well by Anton Yelchin and , of course, Jennifer Lawrence. I know this film should work --- I have always looked up to Jodi Foster as a supremely strong female director in Hollywood, but this film doesn't work. It's Mel Gibson and the script. So I guess I'm saying: don't bother. And if you want to watch a very good film on mental illness see "Lars and the Real Girl" and if you want to see a crazy puppet taking over a person'a personality, see "Magic" with Anthony Hopkins --- they are both much better than this one. I'm sorry. I just didn't buy the puppet at all.
The Beaver2011PG-1391 minutes I gave this 1 out of 5 stars.
Suffering from a severe case of depression, toy company CEO Walter Black begins using a beaver hand puppet to help him open up to his family. Jodie Foster directs and co-stars as Walter's wife in this dark comedy.
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