Black Bear

It's not a memorable movie, but it gets a clear thumbs up for two reasons.

First, it's creative. It's not your run of the mill sequel, there are no superheroes, no explosions, no bullshit. It's an awkward, trippy, but surprisingly alluring story that leaves a lot up to interpretation. That's genuinely nice for a change.

Second, the acting is legitimately good. To see actors digging deep and putting on strong, emotional performances is a puff of fresh air.

Solid film if you're up for something a little out of the left field.

Black Bear is an experimental drama that essentially offers three different scenarios. The real scenario is actually quite short and incomplete as it revolves around a female filmmaker who seeks for creative inspiration at a rural retreat. The second scenario is the first one she imagines as she invents to be welcomed as a guest in a young couple's cabin in the woods as the relationships between the three characters dramatically spiral out of control. The third and final scenario is another product of the filmmaker's imagination as she incarnates as a self-centered actress who nearly drives her colleagues insane on the last day of shooting at a rural retreat.

The first scenario is calm, introspective and short as its scenes are only briefly shown at the very beginning, between the two other scenarios and at the very end of the movie. The second scenario has a length of about forty-five minutes and can be described as a tense drama. The interactions between the three characters develop intensely and lead to an emotional finale. The third scenario also has a length of about forty-five minutes and could rather be described as a comedy or even satire. It follows an eccentric actress and her rather disorganized film crew who go through all sorts of comedic and dramatic emotions on an eventful last day of shooting. The second and the third scenario both involve the appearance of a cute female black bear at the very end, hence the title of this film.

The idea to tell three different stories in one single film is certainly quirky, entertaining and creative. Especially the unpredictable third scenario is addicting from start to finish. The natural landscapes, the cabin in the woods and the black bear are beautiful to watch. Lead actress Aubrey Plaza shines in all scenarios and shows how versatile her acting skills are.

On the other side, the three scenarios aren't properly connected. The final result is at times incohesive and uneven. The main plot is simple and thin. This movie might only be interesting for fans of experimental arthouse cinema and lead actress Aubrey Plaza.

In the end, Black Bear is an experimental arthouse film that mixes comedy and drama elements in three quirky scenarios. This movie is recommended to those who like films that walk off the beaten path while more conventional viewers might be at a loss here. Aubrey Plaza's diversified acting skills make a promising premise successful as this very good film could have been below average with a less talented actress. Give this film a try if you want to discover something unusual, fresh and exciting.

I appreciated that this movie tried to do something different, I just don't think it was that great of a story. The main reason to watch it is for Aubrey's performance. That's all this is about.

I never knew Aubrey Plaza is such a good actress! The film is captivating and really showcases how good Aubrey Plaza is.

An intricately layered, fiendishly plotted & anxiety-inducing thriller that's further bolstered by Aubrey Plaza's powerfully captivating performance, Black Bear is an emotionally charged & increasingly unnerving ride that's clever & confounding in equal measure and offers an interesting insight into the behind-the-scenes chaos of art creation.

Written & directed by Lawrence Michael Levine, the film only gets more n more intense & uncomfortable as it progresses, and sustains its uneasy aura from the first frame to the last. Levine's enigmatic treatment keeps the viewers guessing and although he doesn't provide any answer, he does manage to create just the right kind of intrigue for us to continue looking for it.

Assisting the psychologically scarring drama is the haunting sound design that never allows us to settle. And then there are fabulous performances that make this journey even more worthwhile. Christopher Abbott & Sarah Gadon deliver strong inputs while Aubrey Plaza steals the show with a phenomenal rendition that's impressive enough to qualify as arguably her career-best work.

Overall, Black Bear is a dark, delirious & disturbing delight that's as subversive as it is solipsistic and while far from an easy film to decipher in one sitting, it is able to keep our interest & involvement alive throughout its runtime. One of the most challenging & stimulating films of the year, this meta-thriller paints a fascinating portrait of art imitating life imitating art, and is worth viewing for Aubrey Plaza's commanding showcase alone.