Beginners is a 2010 drama film, written and directed by Mike Mills. It tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a man trying to deal with two stunning revelations from his 75 year-old father Hal (Christopher Plummer): that he is gay and gravely ill.
The film is based on the true-life coming out of Mills' father at the age of 75, five years before his death.
Christopher Plummer wins Oscar
Christopher Plummer may be the oldest Oscar winner ever, but he’s not showing any signs of slowing down.
LOS ANGELES — Christopher Plummer may be the oldest Oscar winner ever, but he’s not showing any signs of slowing down.
The 82-year-old came on stage Sunday night to accept his best supporting actor award and stared at the statuette before remarking on how great it looked.
“You’re only two years older than me darling, where have you been all of my life?” Plummer asked.
At birth, he joked, “I was already rehearsing my academy acceptance speech, but it was so long ago mercifully for you I’ve forgotten it.”
The humor and heartfelt one he delivered Sunday night wasn’t that original version, he said, but, “I haven’t forgotten who to thank.
Backstage, Plummer told reporters of the recognition he’s received recently, “It’s sort of a renewal, it has recharged me,” he said. “I hope I can do it for another 10 years at least.
Plummer has enjoyed a vibrant career that has included his first two Oscar nominations in the past three years. Wearing a navy velvet tuxedo, Plummer thanked fellow nominees, co-stars and his wife, who he said “deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for coming to my rescue every day of my life.”
Plummer won for his role in “Beginners” as Hal Fields, a museum director who becomes openly gay after his wife of 44 years dies. His loving, final relationship becomes an inspiration for his son, who struggles with his father’s death and how to find intimacy in a new relationship.
Over more than 50 years in the industry, Plummer has enjoyed varied roles ranging from Captain Von Trapp in the “The Sound of Music” to the voice of the villain in 2009’s “Up.” He was nominated for his portrayal of Leo Tolstoy in “The Last Station” three years ago.
Plummer beat out fellow nominees Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte and fellow octogenarian Max von Sydow.
He displaces George Burns, who in 1976 was the oldest nominee to win a supporting actor Oscar at age 80. Jessica Tandy, who won for “Driving Miss Daisy” was the oldest winner before Sunday’s show.
Plummer’s age was a joke for host Billy Crystal, who told the audience, “He may be walking up on stage tonight because apparently he wanders off.”
In the end, Plummer did end up onstage and it wasn’t a mistake at all. The audience showered him with applause and Plummer’s lifelong dream was fulfilled.
Not that he’s going to stop acting anytime soon. “I’m going to drop dead wherever I am, whether it’s onstage or on a set,” Plummer said after his win.
Christopher Plummer & Ewan McGregor Lead 'Beginners' Indie Flick.
Cosmo relates his thoughts in subtitles - Arthur
Plummer wins supporting actor prize at 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer has won the supporting-actor prize at the Spirit Awards honouring independent film for his role as an elderly widower who comes out as gay in Beginners.
Joking that it took him a long time to realize the Spirit Awards had nothing to do with booze, Plummer gave thanks to all the spirits that have come his way in his career, "good and evil."
Christopher Plummer in the press room of the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards after winning ‘Best Supporting Male’ for his portrayal of Hal Fields in ‘Beginners.’
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards
The Best Supporting Actor prize went to Christopher Plummer for Beginners, also tipped to be very successful at the Oscars!
(Plummer was not at the Royal Opera House to accept his Award)
Christopher Plummer Wins SAG Award For 'Beginners' Gay Role
Christopher Plummer won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for best supporting actor on Sunday for his role in Beginners.
“I just can't tell you what fun I've had being a member of the world's second oldest profession,” he said in accepting the award. “Actors are gregarious and wacky are they not? I love them dearly. When they honor you, it's like being lit by the Holy Grail.”
Plummer concluded his speech by thanking his "long-suffering wife Elaine who 43 years ago came to my rescue and saved my life."
Oscar nominations: Christopher Plummer tops supporting actor roster
Christopher Plummer received a supporting actor Oscar nomination Tuesday morning for his turn as an elderly man coming out as gay to his adult son in writer-director Mike Mills' film "Beginners."
Plummer will compete for the prize at the 84th Academy Awards against fellow nominees Kenneth Branagh ("My Week With Marilyn"), Jonah Hill ("Moneyball"), Nick Nolte ("Warrior"), and Max von Sydow ("Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close").
It's Plummer who's considered the favorite to win.
24 Jan,2012
Christopher Plummer: Golden Globes 2012 Best Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture
Christopher Plummer won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in 'Beginners."
Remarkably, the win gives Plummer his first career Golden Globe win; it also puts him in prime position to win his first Oscar.
"I want to salute my partner, Ewan -- that wily Scott -- Ewan 'My Heart's in the Highlands' McGregor," he said. "That scene-stealing swine... also, a 21 gun salute goes to Michael Mills, whose talent and wisdom made 'Beginners' such an enchanting story. And of course the rest of the family, including Cosmo my favorite dog... and lastly, a lady called Elaine, my wife of 43 years, whose bravery and beauty haunts me still."
Behind the scenes, he told the press, "Gay characters are human beings. we’re all exactly the same. That's the reason I played it the way I did, not as a caricature. They're a part of our society since the Egyptians, the Greeks - it's part of the human condition. I know there is a lot of antigay sentiment in our society at the moment and I abhor it."
When Christopher Plummer accepted his supporting actor Golden Globe award Sunday for his role in writer-director Mike Mills' film “Beginners,” he modestly apologized to his fellow nominees for his win. But don’t be fooled by the 82-year-old’s humility. “That was humor,” Plummer said backstage to reporters. More seriously, though, he said: “I always like to salute my competitors … No one is better than the other. It’s just that someone has to win.”
In “Beginners,” Plummer portrays Hal, an elderly widow who comes out as gay to his son, played by Ewan McGregor. Asked about the demonstrations — both anti-gay and pro-gay — taking place just outside the Beverly Hilton, Plummer called for tolerance. “Gay [people] are human beings … I know there is an awful lot of anti-gay feeling at this moment and I abhor it,” he said.
Speaking on his role, Plummer noted: “It was such an understated, human kind of character that I haven’t played for a long time. I’ve never had such a fun time.”
Critics’ Choice Movie Award 2012
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer for Beginners
Christopher Plummer was given the best supporting actor award for his work in Beginners. "I feel terribly young tonight," he told the audience during his acceptance speech. "You brought back my youth." "This is the first time I've done this," said the veteran actor. When asked how he felt about his chances for an Oscar, Plummer politely shied away from the question. "I think it's bad luck to talk about [Oscar] nominations. You kind of just roll with the punches." Christopher Plummer in his pink shirt, said he was “completely turned on” by his Supporting Actor win. “At my age, I need all the help I can get in that department.”
Actor Christopher Plummer poses in the photo room with his award for best supporting actor for his role in "Beginners" at the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles January 12, 2012
Award Season Roundtable Series: The Actors Part 2
Christopher Plummer describes his role in 1965'sThe Sound of Music as his most challenging and recalls working with John Huston on The Man Who Would Be King.
George Clooney (The Descendants, The Ides of March),Christopher Plummer (Beginners), Gary Oldman (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Christoph Waltz(Carnage), Albert Brooks (Drive) and Nick Nolte (Warrior)
Will Captain von Trapp Finally Win An Oscar? Gotham Award Will Help
Could Christopher Plummer, known to decades of moviegoers as Captain von Trapp from “The Sound of Music,” finally win an Oscar? Could be. Plummer has a lot of buzz from his role as the dying, gay dad in Mike Mills‘s excellent film, “Beginners.” Last night “Beginners” Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life” tied for Best Feature at the Gotham Awards, the east coast cousin of the Indie Spirit Awards.
Plummer was his usual charming self. He reminded the audience that “Beginners” star Ewan MacGregor wasn’t present because he was working. “And I hate him,” Plummer added quickly, and perfectly. Mike Mills, whose only other movie is the terrific “Thumbsucker,” accepted the film’s award and looked a little surprised. Of course, everyone thought Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” was set to win. There are still some surprises left in awards shows apparently.
Plummer would be in a mix for the tight Supporting Actors’ race with Corey Stoll from “Midnight in Paris,” Kenneth Branagh from “My Week with Marilyn,” Uggie the Dog from “The Artist,” and maybe Albert Brooks from “Drive,” Armie Hammer from “J Edgar,” and Jeremy Irvine from “War Horse.” Plummer should have won for playing Mike Wallace in “The Insider” and probably many other times. There’s obviously a lot of effort going to into nomination. Climb every mountain!
"Beginners," which on Monday shared the top prize for best feature at the Gotham Film Awards which also honor independent films, won four nominations including two for Mike Mills for directing and for his screenplay based on his own experience when his elderly father came out of the closet.
The film also won Christopher Plummer a best supporting actor nomination as Ewan McGregor's gay father in the film.
The 15th annual Hollywood Awards took place on Monday 24 October 2011
The 15th annual Hollywood Awards took place on Monday 24 October 2011 night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, kicking off a months-long season of self-congratulations and chicken dinners shared by the same core group of people
It was uncertain how Christopher Plummer (Beginners), the 81-year-old who is widely considered to be the frontrunner for the best supporting actor Oscar, would handle himself upon being presented with the Hollywood Supporting Actor Award by his co-star Ewan McGregor. Plummer has a reputation for being a bit curmudgeonly, especially when it comes to the gladhanding part of awards campaigning, which might explain why he has only been nominated for an Oscar once -- for best supporting actor for The Last Station (2009) -- despite having given great performances for decades. But he passed this early test with flying colors, joking that he was pleased to be among the first to be honored because it was "way past my bedtime"; stating, "I've never been so relaxed in front of a camera"; and profusely thanking his "son" McGregor, his "partner" Goran Visnjic, writer/director Mike Mills, and, "of course, Cosmo, the dog."
Beginners (2010)“My parents got married in 1955, they had a child and they stayed married for 44 years, until my mother died. Six months later my father told me he was gay. I remember him wearing a purple sweater when he told me this, but actually he wore a robe”.
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack:
1. Stardust – Hoagy Camichael
2. Everything’s Made For Love – Gene Austin
3. Bach Suite – David Palmer, Roger Neill, Brian Reitzell
4. 1955 – David Palmer, Roger Neill, Brian Reitzell
5. Sweet Jazz Music – Jelly Roll Morton
6. That Da Da Strain – Mamie Smith
7. Mamanita – Jelly Roll Morton
8. Moon Waltz – David Palmer, Roger Neill, Brian Reitzell
9. Veronica’s Blues – David Palmer, Roger Neill, Brian Reitzell
10. Breezin’ Along with the Breeze – Josephine Baker
11. Beginners Theme Suite – David Palmer, Roger Neill, Brian Reitzell
12. Buddy Bertrand’s Blues – Jelly Roll Morton
Stage star and former Mr. Von Trapp, Christopher Plummer, will topline the new Indie film, Beginners, alsongside Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds), and Goran Visnjic (ER).
This is 2003. This is Oliver (Ewan McGregor). He is an artist whose work nobody appreciates. This is Hal (Christopher Plummer). He's a cancer-stricken widower who has come out of the closet at the age of 75. He is Oliver's father. This is 'Beginners,'
Beginners is a upcoming drama film, written and directed by Mike Mills. It tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a man trying to deal with two stunning revelations from his 75 year-old father Hal (Christopher Plummer): that he is gay and gravely ill.
The film is based on the true-life coming out of Mills' father at the age of 75, five years before his death.
Beginners premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, where The Los Angeles Times heralded it as a "heady, heartfelt film" with a cast who has "a strong sense of responsibility to their real-world counterparts".
Beginners is a heartbreaking, soulful exploration of both hetero and homosexual repression. It’s a deeply personal and haunting narrative recalling other homosexual poets and their stories, most notably Terrance Davies. All of this we see through the eyes of Ewan McGregor’s Oliver, who must get his terminally-ill father Hal’s life, including his dog, in order. Oliver attempts to map human sadness and starts a series of sketches to capture its evolution over time.
Set in 2005, he is a beginner in some ways himself. Never married (or frequently in break-ups), he sees the world through his practice: graphic design. In voice-overs he tells us “this is what pretty looked like in 1955” and so forth, in an attempt to understand his own father and perhaps his mother’s repression as he grapples with his own sadness.
A few months after Oliver’s mother passes, his dad, Hal, played brilliantly by Christopher Plummer, comes out to his son. He had always been a homosexual in theory and is now excited to practice, finding himself a new younger lover with a father complex, Andy (Goran Visnjic). Hal, now liberated, starts wearing designer jeans and putting himself out in the personals.
Christopher Plummer, 81, poised to reach pinnacle of screen career
The most successful Canadian movie star of 2011 will almost certainly turn out to be someone who's far from a beginner.
The next stop for the film is opening night of the San Francisco Film Festival on April 21, two weeks after 81-year-old Plummer is honoured for his career achievements at the Sarasota Film Festival, the latest in a series of tributes since being nominated for an Academy Award in 2009 for playing Russian writer Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station."
While other recent roles for Plummer have included the fantasy film "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," and voices in animated films like "Up," he is also set to co-star in a 2011 holiday season blockbuster effort: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," the movie adaptation of Stieg Larsson's novel.
A turn in a quirky independent movie, in which Plummer plays a character that will provoke discussions about the sexual awakenings experienced by seniors, should contribute to him being among the most talked-about actors of the year.
Filmmaker Tribute
Special Events and Parties: Christopher Plummer – Cinema Master
The Filmmaker Tribute is the centerpiece event of the 2011 Sarasota Film Festival. Set in the beautiful, historic Sarasota Opera House, this year’s Tribute promises to be full of surprises as we salute the SFF’s award winning filmmakers, our honored guests and screen legends. This event is always one of the highlights of the festival, an elegant salute to the artists whose work has helped shape cinema. Christopher Plummer, Geena Davis, Sarah Green, and the SFF's award-winning filmmakers to be honored!
The biggest stars of the Sarasota Film Festival walk the red carpet the Filmmaker Tribute on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Sarasota Opera House
Christopher Plummer and his wife Elaine
April 17, 2011, David Edelstein In Conversation with Christopher Plummer at the Sarasota Film Festival
Hollywood Film Fest to honor Christopher Plummer
At the 15th annual Hollywood Film Festival, the first awards of the season may offer an early look of likely nominees for the Golden Globes, critics' choices and Oscars. This year a favorite for the Oscars, Christopher Plummer, will be honored.
Plummer (Sound of Music) will be presented with the Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in the indie film Beginners costarring Ewan McGregor, it was announced September 26. The film follows a story of a father who admits that he is gay to his son.
The Hollywood Film Awards takes place October 24 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel as part of the Hollywood Film Festival, October 20 to 24 2011.
THE 84TH OSCARS. PREDICTIONS FOR THE FILMS OF 2011.
Christopher Plummer
1 nomination
BEGINNERS
He finally broke through with Oscar voters after millions of films for The Last Station. Will they want to welcome him back when he's playing a dying newly out gay father? It's tough to say how this film will fare
Prematurely, Predicts Best Supporting Actor At The 2012 Oscars:
ChristopherPlummer “Beginners”
We’re absolutely dying to see Mike Mills’ sophomore film, “Beginners” but it doesn’t seem heavyweight enough to make a real impression at the Oscars. But there’s one exception to that. Incredibly, Christopher Plummer has only been nominated once, for 2009’s “The Last Station.” But here, as a man who comes out in the twilight of his life, he seems to have a killer role, and from the glimpses of the film we’ve seen so far, the performance looks like a joy. Plus, there are hints of terminal illness in the film’s plotline, which can’t exactly hurt. With Focus Features behind the film, we’ve got a hunch that this could finally be Plummer’s year.
Movie review beginners with christopher plummer - Google News
What's on Sunday New York Times 5:10 P.M. (HBO Signature) BEGINNERS (2010) Christopher Plummer, left, in an Oscar-winning role, portrays Hal, the septuagenarian father of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), to whom he makes two announcements: He is gay and has terminal cancer. This film from ...
LOST & FOUND - Beginners Extra Music Magazine Presentato in anteprima al Toronto Film Festival e vincitore di numerosi premi tra i quali l'Oscar come Miglior Attore non Protagonista per Christopher Plummer, Beginners รจ un film meraviglioso, che colpisce lo spettatore al cuore con la sua ...
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