Will The Beaver really launch Mel Gibson's career comeback?
The trailer for Mel Gibson's bizarre new film The Beaver premiered on U.S. television last night and has critics asking if this could be his comeback.
The movie directed and co-starring Jodie Foster, was due for release this year but a decision on the opening date was suspended in the wake of issues surrounding Gibson's personal life.
Some critics have already said that it looks to be 'Gibson's best performance'.
Comeback? Mel Gibson's new movie The Beaver is his first since the scandal over his public split with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva
Movie review site screenhead.com said: 'I know that some folks have some negative ideas about Gibson. It's better to see the positive in others. He's a very good actor and a fine filmmaker'.
Another reviewer said: 'The film looks great and shockingly Gibson looks top notch'.
Movie Buzzers said the film is 'quite good, actually' and is 'fascinating to see Gibson deal with mental illness on screen'.
Movie mates: The film co-stars and is directed by Jodie Foster - the two are reportedly good friends
Good reviews: Foster plays Gibson's wife and mother of his two children who are troubled by his character's erratic behaviour and use of a furry puppet
The Braveheart star plays a depressed man who finds solace by wearing the furry beaver hand puppet that he uses to communicate with people.
But after Gibson's well publicised meltdown and release of audio of conversations with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the dialogue in the trailer is eerily relevant.
Gibson plays, Walter Black, the CEO of a toy company who's older son calls him 'a loser'.
Troubled: Gibson plays Walter Black, the CEO of a toy company who becomes depressed and uses a furry hand puppet to speak for him
Life imitating art: The film was originally meant to star Steve Carrell but critics say Gibson's troubled personal life has added an extra element to his performance
The voice over of the trailer starts: ' This is the story of Walter Black, a hopelessly depressed individual. The successful, loving family man he used to be has gone missing.'
Walter: 'What's that?' (Younger son pulls out arts and crafts project from a bag.)
Younger son: 'Your brain. Mom says yours got broken.'
Voice over: 'You can see, Walter is a man who's lost all hope.'
Walter to his beaver puppet, who becomes his alter ego: 'I'm sick.'
Forgiven? Gibson's agency dropped him earlier this year but if The Beaver is a hit insiders believe PR firms and managers may want to work with him again
Big screen return: Critics say the movie, due for a Spring 2011 release, is a reminder of Gibson's acting skills
Gibson's character shocks his family when he returns home one day with the beaver and a note to his wife, played by Foster.
The note reads: 'Hello, this person is under the care of a prescription puppet.
'Designed to help create a psychological distance between himself and the negative aspects of his personality'.
The movie was originally meant to have Steve Carrell in the lead role but the film is seen as a reminder of Gibson's acting skills which has been overshadowed by his behaviour.
Gibson lost his agency representation earlier this year but it is thought if the movie does well, PR firms and talent agencies will be ready to help rebuild the actor's career and reputation - if that's possible.
The Beaver is expected to his theatres in Spring 2011.
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