Episode 85: BEGINNERS / Top 3 Man’s Best Friends in Movies

Summary: From writer/director Mike Mills comes  BEGINNERS  a comedy/drama about how  deeply funny and trans-formative life can be, even at it's most serious moments. Imaginatively exploring the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Ewan McGregor)who meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Melanie Laurant) only months after his father Hal, played by Christopher Plumber, has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his dad, who, following the death of his wife of 45 years, came out of the closet at age 75  to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life - which included a younger boyfriend Andy (Goran Visnjic of ER). The upheavals of Hal's new honesty turns funny and moving, bringing father and son closer than ever. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all of the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.Beginners was met with widespread praise upon it's 2010 release, especially for the stellar performance from Christopher Plumber, who went on to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the role - becoming the oldest person to do so. Listen to see where the five us landed on this one as well as our "Top 3 Man's Best Friends In Movies"