Mickey and the Bear

This is a special portrait of life in the hinterlands of America, where young people face a daunting future due to their lack of opportunity and sense of obligation to family. Mickey turns 18 in the course of the story, and already has the responsibilities of an adult since she cares for her traumatized addict father, while she tries to enjoy the sparse excitement of her small Montana town. She clearly has a decision to make: stay in this place where she will watch her father die from his damage or flee to a desperate but liberating unknown elsewhere.

This actually reminded me somewhat of 'Leave No Trace', which came out the year before with its story of a nomadic father-daughter trying to survive under the weight of his trauma. That family was constantly seeking somewhere safe to go, but for Mickey and her dad, there is utterly nowhere to go, and that sense of futility becomes palpable when she faces a choice between her ignorant boyfriend and a sensitive foreigner. And as it turns out, choices are often illusory.

Young people benefit from movies like this, since girls can see how their empowerment can be corrupted by men's expectations and boys can see the reasons they need to abandon their arrogant egos.

I had to leave a review because the 6.4 rating is shocking.

This is a well written, well directed and well acted movie. It covers a very sensitive issue with depth and subtlety. I really enjoyed it.

And the ending is perfect.

I wanna give it 8, but I dont like how the movie end, but I love the story, first time I see the trailer I think she had old boyfriend, but it's her dad 🙂 good movie

Menacing and claustrophobic, bringing the power of an abusive relationship to film.

The premise should not be valid but sadly it is all too real. How does a young woman (17 /18) cope with a father who is so broken and destructive. It's not easy but she does get help. There is the underlying theme that those who experience the horror of war are forever broken and can devastate their families. Great cast.