Beginners

Beginners chronicles 75-year-old Hal who comes out as gay late in life after decades of marriage to a woman. Set in Santa Barbara during 2003, the book follows both Hal's journey of self-discovery and his son's process of understanding this revelation. The narrative moves between moments from Hal's past and present as he embraces his authentic identity, begins dating, and builds connections in the LGBTQ+ community. His story runs parallel to his adult son's evolving perspective as a witness to this transformation. The book explores themes of identity, time, family bonds, and the ongoing nature of personal growth. Through its dual focus on father and son, it examines how people understand themselves and each other across generational divides.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Mike Mills's overall work: Readers connect deeply with Mills' personal storytelling approach, particularly in how he translates family experiences to film. Many reviews highlight his ability to capture subtle emotional moments and complex relationships. What readers liked: - Authentic portrayal of family dynamics - Visual style that enhances storytelling without overshadowing it - Realistic dialogue and character development - Balance of humor and emotional weight What readers disliked: - Pacing described as "too slow" by some viewers - Plot structures that some found meandering - Character introspection that occasionally feels self-indulgent Ratings across platforms: Beginners (2010) - IMDB: 7.2/10 from 91,000+ ratings - Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% 20th Century Women (2016) - IMDB: 7.3/10 from 52,000+ ratings - Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% C'mon C'mon (2021) - IMDB: 7.6/10 from 48,000+ ratings - Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91%

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🎬 Director Mike Mills based this book on his 2010 film of the same name, which starred Ewan McGregor and was inspired by Mills' own father coming out as gay at age 75. 🏆 The film version of "Beginners" won Christopher Plummer an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the oldest person (at 82) to win an Oscar at that time. 📖 The book explores how Mills' father, after 44 years of marriage to his mother, embraced a completely new life in the gay community of Los Angeles during his final years. 🎨 Mike Mills is also an accomplished graphic designer who has created album covers for bands like Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, and Air. 🌈 The story became an important touchstone in LGBTQ+ literature, particularly for depicting late-in-life coming out experiences and the complex family dynamics that follow.