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Beginners DVD

(Not Yet Reviewed)

The story begins with Oliver (Ewan McGregor) a graphic artist, in the midst of a confusing and complicated personal challenge in having to deal with the impending death of his father, Hal, played by Christopher Plummer (who has terminal cancer) at the same time as coping with his father's announcement that he is gay.

In the emotionally draining aftermath of his father's death, Oliver is surprised to find he is falling for Anna, an actress (Melanie Laurent). The turbulent first few weeks of this new affair coupled with Oliver's inherent difficulty in maintaining any relationship are explained using flashbacks from Oliver's childhood, his father's distant and loveless marriage to his long dead mother and the days leading up to his father's recent death.

This worthwhile film is a charming, sometimes humorous study of a group of highly complex characters. The acting is superb, especially Plummer and McGregor but with some fantastic input from Goran Visnjic (Hal's young lover) and particularly from Hal's Jack Russell dog!

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