The Beaver (2011) + Bonus [w/Commentary]

Walter Black ('Mel Gibson') is depressed and sleeps most of the day. It's driving his family crazy, and his wife Meredith (Jodie Foster) kicks him out. Walter starts carrying a beaver puppet and tries to commit suicide (unsuccessfully). He uses the puppet to talk to himself, trying to bolster his spirits, and is trying to rebuild his life. Through the beaver, the family begins to learn about Walter's history and problems, and as he continues rebuilding, the beaver shows us all a way to cope.



Audio Commentary: Director/Actor Jodie Foster offers a straightforward analysis of the picture, speaking on the character's complexities, the work of the cast, the picture's themes and emotions, the picture's score, the procedure of editing the picture together and the resultant stylistic choices, set construction and shooting locations, and more. There are some gaps in the track and it's not particularly engaging.

Bonus included: Everything is Going to Be OK (12:06): This brief making-of piece features cast and crew discussing the "dark" and "amusing" motion picture The Beaver. They speak on the picture's balance and tone, its themes, the story's psychological complexities, the quality of the cast and the performances, the picture's emotional current, and more.