Jodie Foster directs and co-stars in this emotional and sometimes comic family drama with Mel Gibson, who stars as Walter Black - husband, father and managing director of a failing toy company. Manic depression, stress at work and a breakdown in his relationship with his wife Meredith (Foster) and young son Porter (Anton Yelchin) lead him to develop an unusual relationship with 'The Beaver', a glove puppet that he takes to wearing at all times and using as a medium for all his communication with the outside world.