Le gamin

It is good to see a movie neither 'demonize' nor 'victimize' gay people. This is an extraordinary movie about everyday relationships of ordinary person , some of whom happen to be bears.

The characters in this film are flawed one way or another. But that's part of the charm: they all have their own problems like everyone else of us have and they are dealing with these problems like we all have to. Unlike many 'gay-themed' movies which focused on 'shock value', this movie is free from bitter or self-pity. It goes back to the basic friendship and family connection which is so brilliantly portrayed.

I adore the bubbly attitude the movie holds. When bad things happened,drugs, jail, disease, people in this movie just deal with the bad fortune the simplest way. no mess, no fuss.

It's clean and shinny , it's a breathe of fresh air from Europe.

"Bear Cub" (Cachorro) has been shown at several film festivals since it was first released in its native Spain in early 2004. I saw the movie on Opening Night at the ImageOut Film Festival in Rochester, NY. The near-capacity crowd was very receptive to the film.

The story, about a gay man who finds himself taking care of his young nephew for an unexpectedly extended period, has been done before in different variations ("About a Boy", "Three Men and a Baby", television's Bachelor Father, etc.). Compared with other movies, "Bear Cub" stands out by not compromising the depiction of the main character's social life especially with the explicit and what will be a very controversial opening sequence. (Note: the opening scenes and a few other scenes were edited for general release in the U.S. I saw the unedited version at the film festival I attended.)

I'm happy of the decision by co-writer/director Miguel Abaladejo (with co-writer Salvador García Ruiz) to present to the moviegoers a subculture of the gay population called Bears. It might open a few people's minds. Pedro, the lead character (well-played by José Luis García Pérez) and his circle of friends do not fit the dominant depiction of what gay men look like especially in movies: bearded and husky.

Another thing that impressed me was the performance of David Castillo. He plays Bernardo, the precocious nephew who is mature way beyond his years but, in one of the many plot twists that propel the film, there are reasons why he is that way.

I almost forgot to mention how funny and touching this film is. Bear Cub is a very well-balanced dramedy. The comedy comes out of the unusual familial situation and when complications arise in the guise of Bernardo's estranged paternal grandmother Doña Teresa (Empar Ferrer), it made for a very compelling drama.

The decision to change the aspect of the movie from just observing the characters to having some of the characters talk to the camera in the final 20 minutes was not a good idea. Despite that flaw, I found Bear Cub to be a timely, well-performed and memorable film.

P.S.: I would bet a few dollars that a production company in Hollywood would be too cowardly to remake a film like this much less buy the rights to make the movie. The movie's honest depiction of a man having a social gay life without making value judgments might be too much for some viewers or, for that matter, some members of the Hollywood community to tolerate.

BEAR CUB introduces many to the concept of the non-traditional gay male: the hairy and chunky variety. It also artfully presents real-life situations for the characters. The relationship between a 'bear' uncle and his young nephew is the main focus, but the film also embraces the concept of male to male relationships (sexual and otherwise), HIV, and extended families. It manages to do all this without becoming maudlin or overly busy. The storytelling aspects of BEAR CUB are sharply honed. The performances are also quite good, especially from the central figures. There is, however, a somewhat lethargic feeling to the proceedings as well. I'm not sure if it is the unremarkable scoring and editing, but the film feels every bit it's 100 minutes. The characters are sometimes painfully earnest and the tone tips towards the self-important a bit too often. Perhaps it was reading the 'Director's Message' about the film that predisposed me toward this view. Also, the pacing of the movie feels a bit too 'even keel' - lacking a sense of momentum to carry us through to the final credits. The DVD 'extra scenes' reveal a highly comic scene at the film's core that might have pepped things up a bit. Whether it was excised for length or sexual content is not made clear. For those who think of Smokey and Yogi at the mention of 'bears' this film will be a real eye-opener. For the bear community it is at least a step (or two) forward.

BEAR CUB (CACHORRO) is a delight! This joyous film has the wisdom (and courage, if US standards are applied!) to open the doors and windows depicting a segment of the gay population who are healthy in attitude, in lasting relationships and friendships, and who don't swerve from addressing issues such as AIDS, single parenting, recreational dalliances, the dangers of drugs, and the importance of family. It is honest in dialogue, in casting, and in demonstrating that all people are subjected to the same ups and downs, no matter their sexual proclivity.

Pedro (José Luis García Pérez) is a successful dentist, a warmly human man who is surrounded by caring friends - primarily men who call themselves 'bears', a subunit of the gay population identified by hairy faces and bodies, stout husky physiques instead of the usual gay image of the perfectly carved gym body, and a live-and-let-live philosophy of upfront honesty, warmth and caring for their extended families. Pedro is openly gay, a fact that his widowed sister Violeta (Elvira Lindo) and her 9-year old son Bernardo (David Castillo) happily accept. When Violeta and her current paramour Borja (Cali Caballero) decide to vacation in India, Bernardo is left with Pedro for the promised two week stay.

During their time together Pedro and Bernardo bond, Bernardo is introduced to Pedro's friends and is entirely comfortable by the healthy relationships he sees. Pedro is not partnered (his lover Eduardo died...) but he dates openly with Bernardo's knowledge. When Pedro is in his Dental Office, baby sitter Lola (Diana Cerezo) introduces Bernardo to go-go and other parts of the world outside and becomes a happy trio with the two males. News comes that Violeta and Borja have been arrested in India for drug trafficking, changing the two-week vacation into a time indefinite absence. Pedro and Bernardo adjust.

Things take a turn when Bernardo's estranged grandmother Doña Teresa (Empar Ferrer) enters the scene, haughty, disapproving of Bernardo's living situation, and taking advantage of the absence of her hated daughter-in-law to attempt to gain custody of Bernardo, 'the only thing I have left in life.' Due to some unfortunate twists of behavior and fate, Doña Teresa gains evidence to blackmail Pedro, not only because of his sexual outings photographed by her investigator, but because she discovers Pedro is HIV positive. In her attempts to denounce Pedro we discover the Bernardo already knows of his uncle's HIV status (as well as Violeta's) and Bernardo pleads with Pedro not to let Doña Teresa take him away. A compromise is reached and Bernardo is sent off to a coed school in Valencia.

How all of these twists and turns resolve constitutes the surprising ending of this excellent film: each of the characters is shown to be wholly three-dimensional, even Doña Teresa, and the overriding importance of family and compassion and love rules the day. The ending is open ended, allowing the viewer to select the way to conclude the story.

Director and co-writer (with Salvador García Ruiz) Miguel Albaladejo is a master at finding the core of truth in each of his characters, their individual life styles, and the unfettered joy of living uncompromised lives. The cast is extraordinary: José Luis García Pérez is a natural actor, David Castillo is completely believable as Bernardo, and the remainder of the cast is outstanding. The original music by Nacho Canut and Olvido Gara is so in keeping with the tone of the film. Yes, there are some consensual sex scenes in this film, but they are treated with respect and decorum and without them the flavor of the film would be lacking. This is a refreshing film about the sanctity of love - and it just happens to be populated with one of the most lovable gay groups ever created! Highly recommended.

Grady Harp

Cachorro is a movie about gay people that unexpectedly have to open their lives to the strict world of the straight culture. The most interesting thing about this movie is even most of the main movie characters are gay and not particularly beautiful (they are really bears), the effect of the movie is really intended to cause effects on straight people. I even imagine that many gay people will even feel offended by vicious lifestyle of this people.

Pedro is a middle age, middle class dentist. He is really a big gay bear (far from the styled all muscle gay community you can see on South Beach). Unexpected, his drug addict (and dealer) sister leave his 8 year son (Bernardo) to his care, she is traveling to India for business for two weeks with his boyfriend.

Pedro, gentle but self-centered person, does his best to keep the kid happy.

The kid knows perfectly well about his uncle homosexuality (his mother even thinks that the kid is homosexual too), but still has to change some of his habits like smoking joints in front of the kid or having sex in his bedroom.

This is a European movie, so dialogs and situation are FAAAAAAAAAAAR from the repressed American minds. When a friend try to smoke a joint, in front of the kid, Pedro stop him, but the kid offers to prepare it himself, as he usually does for his mother and adoptive father.

Out of nowhere, the kid's grandmother appears. She is a very depressed old but no to old woman, whose son (Bernardo's father) died for drug (and aids) and she is blaming Bernardo's mother for that. The kid of course wants nothing with her and refuse even to go out.

The relation between them growth from the obligation to real caring of the kid. That does no means, Pedro lifestyle completely changes. He refuses a steady relation ship with his French boyfriend / pilot. He embarks in quick sexual encounters in clubs and/or dark streets (there are a few strong sexual scenes here, so prepare to feel offended). In addition, he does joints and cocaine with his friends.

After a few days, Bernardo's mother is caught with drugs and put in jail. The grandmother will fight for the kid custody, using Pedro's lifestyle against him.

The characters are perfectly crafted. There are not bad people or saints. Probably Bernardo's selfish mother is worse than anybody else is. The grandmother is portrayed as a sad woman fighting to recover her only left family.

The battle custody ends in the only possible 'actual moral rules permit' however there are no big trials or lawyers arguments. Things get resolved as life, out of court, but the movie does not end there but keep going for a few more years, towards a perfect and realistic ending.

Due to some strong sexual scenes (my wife was completely horrified in certain moments), but most important for the surprising dialogs and situations, this movie will get an NC-17 without any doubt. It will be a pity to cut all this; doing so will diminished the effect the director wanted. Please, open your mind (close your eyes sometimes) and try to see this movie; you will not regret it...