The Beaver is Mel Gibson's first dramatic role since his recorded breakdown and career destroying rant. Unfortunately this film was never released to a wide theatrical run. It received great reviews but failed to make an appearance at your local cineplex.
While Gibson's performance is one of his best roles in years, the rest of the movie fails. It's a melodramatic mess of a film that never spends enough time on character development. It also features one of the worst endings I've ever seen on film. At one hour and thirty minutes, Foster (director) should have fought for a lengthened run time, back story, and a much stronger finale.
There are some truly funny scenes in this movie. Most feature The Beaver.Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save a movie that never proves the point it tries so hard to get across.