Friday, July 1, 2011

Beginners by Director/Graphic Designer Mike Mills


I went to see the film Beginners last night.

Was attracted to the film initially because of this great lettering in the poster (which I suspected was done by one of my all time fave illustrators Eric Hanson.)

Turns out it was done by the writer/director of the film Mike Mills who began his career as a graphic designer. (!) Mike graduated from Cooper Union and then went on to work at M + Co. with Tibor Kalman. Coincidenza.

The film is very autobiographical with Ewan McGregor playing the main character of Oliver who - yes - works as a graphic designer. (yay)
I adored the drawings in the film which were all done by Mike Mills.

Below Oliver sketches "A History of Ex-girlfriends". Adorable.


Love the Princess Leia hairdo and Mill's broken line.

I think this ex girlfriend did alotta drugs.



Was excited to discover that a book has been published with the drawings from the film.
Add to cart. :-)

This Poster is from an earlier film by Mike Mills Thumbsucker.
Isn't it great?
ps. I am honking.

The film was wonderful in many ways - the performances of Christopher Plummer + Ewan McGregor are note perfect + heartbreaking... but for me Mill's entirely fresh + inventive direction is the big deal of this movie. For insight into it you can read a great interview with the director on the AIGA website here.
Strongly recommended - especially if you're designer/ illustrator sort.

ps. Fun fact: Michael Mills is married to Miranda July.
I think that = Mr. + Mrs. Quirky USA.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, I think Beginners movie was nice. Definitely I want to see. Keep sharing!

Physiotherapy in Northwich

alisonl said...

Emma and I saw the movie last weekend and wept and wept... we loved it. And I loved the drawings - can I steal the title "The History of Sadness" please?

seranapearlin said...

Beginners is best movie that I had ever saw.I saw this movie last weak only with my family.I enjoyed every section of the movie.

child evangelism

davidd said...

Beginners is quiet movie. The movie is the original and exciting and in many ways.I enjoyed a lot the movie.

hazardous material spill kit

rosesteven said...

Well, I recently saw the Beginners movie. Quiet impressive movie. I must say director had given good efforts. Thanks!

gift ideas for men

Er-H said...

I'm afraid I didn't do the title lettering for Beginners. Would have if asked, of course. I'm a film person from way back. (Nine unproduced feature length screenplays.) Er-H