One Minute Movie Review: The Beaver

Few films offer the potential to disturb, confuse, depress, relieve, and entertain through a well told story, excellent directing, and masterful acting. This one does. Jodi Foster creates a powerful and engaging tale of the deepening journey and visceral wounds of chronic, tormenting depression as a father who desperately attempts to escape his nearly debilitating psychological disorder. Mel Gibson plays that father with extraordinary fervor and sadness that is palatable and sometimes too much to watch. Foster orchestrates an ensemble casts that demonstrate the kind of chemistry and evolution that most films miss. The relationships are naturally painful and make an unequivocal connection with the audience. The story flows like water with an ending that is both unpredictable and jarring. This is what film making is all about, true film making. This may become Gibson's swan song and comeback film. This movie is not for the faint of heart, so go in expecting to be affected. 4 out of 5 Kernels, silly name, unique concept, one tremendous achievement.