from sfiff

The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21–May 5) will open with writer/director Mike Mills’ deeply personal and universal contemplation of chances and choices in life and love, which spotlights beautiful portrayals by Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Mélanie Laurent. Beginners will screen at the historic Castro Theatre followed by the Opening Night party at San Francisco’s elegant and contemporary art gallery, Terra.

Synopsis:

Seventy-five-year-old Hal (Academy Award nominee Christopher Plummer) has found love with a man half his age, and is overjoyed to be dancing to house music at the disco. Oliver (Golden Globe Award nominee Ewan McGregor), his 38-year-old graphic artist son, is not so lucky. He’s the permanently brokenhearted veteran of short-lived affairs who is afraid to be happy even when he’s met the woman of his dreams. Thumbsucker director Mike Mills charms in this autobiographical tale inspired by his own father’s decision to come out late in life. Ewan McGregor is the son confused by, but supportive of, his father’s new lifestyle. Christopher Plummer, giving one of the finest performances in an illustrious career, is a man determined to finally be true to himself and live life to the fullest, even in the wake of a cancer diagnosis. The story jumps nimbly back and forth through time as Oliver navigates a promising new relationship, recalls his parents’ passionless marriage and wonders at Hal’s later life as a bon vivant senior citizen refusing to give in to illness. Excellent supporting turns from Goran Visnjic and Inglourious Basterds’ Mélanie Laurent (as father and son’s respective love interests) and a “talking” Jack Russell terrier make up the lively ensemble. Stylish direction and Mills’ witty, intelligent script add to the film’s delights. This is a moving and layered work, with both lots of laughs and all the poignancy of a son’s love letter to his father.

Mike Mills and Ewan McGregor are expected to attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A.