Mel's Waterloo

The Beaver(2010)
“I took a long, hard look at Jodie Foster’s Beaver, and I liked it,” or “I saw Jodie Foster’s Beaver close up and….” These jokes will run and run, as indeed they already have, possibly giving an intelligent film it’s only real talking point. Postponed from last year due to Mel Gibson’s domestic and personal problems, The Beaver is one of those films that seems to eerily imitate what is happening in life. Whether Gibson was attracted to the script because it reflected a similar inner turmoil or just because it provided a great acting opportunity, who can say? Either way though, can you actually like The Beaver? Playing like a less audience friendly American Beauty(1999). Mel certainly shows his acting chops and reminds us of how good he can be outside of action movies. Infact, with this and last year’s Edge of Darkness, ironically, like so many before him, now that his box office is slipping, he is producing some of his best work. If you don’t appreciate Gibson, just imagine what horrible things Robin Williams would have done with the same material. The rest of the performances are uniformly great and Foster has a sure hand as a director. Sadly, at least in Austin, The Beaver lasted a week at one theatre, albeit on two screens, showing that Gibson probably needs to return to action to reengage with an audience- still time for one last Lethal Weapon or Mad Max. Sometimes people just want escapism and not to be reminded of their hero’s foibles, not a film that bravely ignores the inherent comedy and a feel good ending. 9/10