Last week I had a chance to go to a screening of Mel Gibson's new movie "The Beaver".  Like most people I was curious to see the train wreck that is Mel Gibson, but I have to say the movie was better than I expected.

Mel Gibson plays Walter Black, a man suffering from severe depression.  After many attempts of traditional and nontraditional depression therapies (including a failed suicide attempt), Walter is at his wits end.  As a last resort Walter creates an alter ego through an old puppet.  The Beaver helps Walter get his life back on track, but at a cost.

I found that this movie took a real look at depression, and desperation.  Since the premise of this movie was about a man talking to a puppet it had the potential to be insensitive, and even campy.  However, it found it to be very sensitive, and respectful of a disease.  Mel Gibson does an excellent job as a man who has lost everything.  You sympathize with him and hope that his life comes together.

This is such a wonderful movie that serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and human emotions.  This is definitely a movie that shouldn't be missed.  The Beaver hits theaters May 6th.