Grade: B

It if weren’t for all of Mel Gibson’s personal troubles and issues that have been so prevalent in the media, I’d think that he would get an Academy Award nomination for his performance in The Beaver.  This may look like a comedy on the surface, or from the previews, but it is definitely a drama.  A heart-wrenching one.  Director Jodie Foster plays the wife to Mel Gibson’s husband, who is suffering from depression.  After she kicks him out of the house, he comes across a hand puppet, a beaver, who becomes his alter-ego.  His life dramatically improves, but he can’t handle the success.  Very thought-provoking, intense, with fine performances from everyone in the cast.