Though I have some theories as to the reason behind - or, perhaps, meaning of - its non-traditional structure, they're really not that relevant when it comes to discussing 'Black Bear (2020)'. That's because the thing is far more focused on delivering an in-the-moment emotional experience than a completely cohesive intelligent one, its mid-point shake-up seeming to exist primarily so that the writer/director can tell the story he wants to tell without being constrained by traditional narrative form. It's difficult to describe what I mean without spoiling things so I'll just leave it at that. The film itself is a beguiling and engaging drama that opens with a filmmaker coming to stay at a beautiful cabin, seemingly in the hope of finding inspiration for her newest project, and having to navigate the tense relationship of the pregnant couple who owns it. Like its protagonist, it's decidedly hard to read; almost anything could happen and it wouldn't feel out of place. This makes for a surprisingly compelling experience, though. The characters are crafted with precision, both in terms of writing and in terms of performance, and the social dynamics that the plot explores are varied, interesting and often unexpected. Sometimes, it feels a bit like a play, probably due to its small cast and near real-time unravelling. There's just something a bit claustrophobic about it all, which works in its favour as it helps to create an oddly enigmatic tone. As I've mentioned, it's hard to discuss the picture without spoiling a key aspect of it. I suppose I'll just leave it at this: it's an entertaining and unique experience that features some great performances (including perhaps Aubrey Plaza's best yet). 7/10.
170 Reviews
Too experimental for me
jfgibson736 March 2021
Should have kept the quality from first half
Near-L6 December 2020
If only this movie had remained with the realistic and interesting vibes from the first segment it would have been great, the second half where it becomes a movie about the movie is still fun to watch but it made the movie kinda pointless. Aubrey Plaza is amazing in this tho, but when isn't she?
First half 9/10 Second half 6/10
First half 9/10 Second half 6/10
Very good acting
Gordon-1130 December 2020
Not all indie films need to be 100% indie!
siderite6 March 2021
This is an indie film about creatives. Writing, acting, making a movie, extreme emotions and their expression. Yes, the meta film is back in business and it stars Aubrey Plaza, which is the only reason why I watched it in the first place. Only instead of the sharp wit and weird sense of humor I had expected it's all just about women being jealous of each other and coveting the same man, then screaming about it because... artists. For two hours straight.
If you like films made by movie people about movie people, if you like uncomfortable scenes of anguish and people being asses to one another and have two extra hours you don't know what to do with, this is for you.
The average rating I gave is mostly because it was really well acted, which is why the film was probably done: to let actors show their "range" in a story without an actual subject.
If you like films made by movie people about movie people, if you like uncomfortable scenes of anguish and people being asses to one another and have two extra hours you don't know what to do with, this is for you.
The average rating I gave is mostly because it was really well acted, which is why the film was probably done: to let actors show their "range" in a story without an actual subject.
Black Bear?
uglymushroom7 December 2020
This is definitely a film that leaves you with more questions than answers. There are some high points in the acting, but, in the end, there is just way too much dialogue and not enough story. That being said, the strongest part of this film is Aubrey Plaza. She is fantastic in her role as Allison and the only reason I am rating this 7/10. If you watch this film for anything, watch it for Aubrey Plaza's performance.
Well, that's one film I'll never watch again
greg-goremykin5 December 2020
Rather than dig too deep I'll just write that some truly outstanding performances couldn't save this film from stunt-scripting to cover up a really weak idea, just not plot-wise (though a film doesn't need a strong narrative to be good), but nothing worked *but* the acting (this film really was under-edited as well as another really weak point that jumped out. This film had enough juice for a good short, but was even as a feature way too long for whatever pay-off it gives.
The whole thing struck me as really pretentious and derivative. I didn't see anything here original or that I haven't seen done before and much better. Worth a watch if you aren't expecting more than some really great acting and none of the structure required around that to make a decent film.
The whole thing struck me as really pretentious and derivative. I didn't see anything here original or that I haven't seen done before and much better. Worth a watch if you aren't expecting more than some really great acting and none of the structure required around that to make a decent film.
I didn't understand it.
Groverdox8 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't really understand "Black Bear". I may as well make that clear from the outset. I also admit that my lack of comprehension hindered my "enjoyment", for lack of a better word.
The movie is told in two parts. The first is much shorter than the second. In the first, Aubrey Plaza is a filmmaker and actress who goes to stay in a rural setting with a guy played by Christopher Abbott and his wife. This couple seem to be trying to give the one in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" a run for its money in terms of dysfunctionality. The husband cannot say anything without being contradicted by the wife, and vice versa. We are not at all surprised when they have a fight, and that Aubrey's attempts to defuse the situation only heighten the tension, and Aubrey and Abbott end up in each other's arms. This story only becomes more harrowing when, upon discovery of the two cheating on her, the wife intervenes, things get physical, and the wife, who was apparently pregnant (I didn't notice) goes into labour. The trio have to rush to the hospital, and have a car accident on the way. This segment ends with the collision.
Part two feels like the same actors in the same location doing a different story. In this one, Abbott is the filmmaker and Aubrey is the actress. Abbott colludes with his wife to drive Aubrey crazy behind the scenes, and thus elicit a genuine madness on set. Perhaps they push her too far, and she goes missing, getting drunk. They find her again, for some reason naked except for a bra, and get some pants on her and make her finish the take, while other crew members are stoned and one has diarrhoea.
Some other stuff happens after that, I think. I can't really remember. I don't understand how these two parts fit together. And I don't understand the second part. The movie has great acting from Aubrey and Abbott. Aubrey could be an Oscar contender, but they don't give Oscars for weird movies like these... and probably so they shouldn't. I hope she gets in a movie with a better script that also lets her cut loose like this one did.
The movie is told in two parts. The first is much shorter than the second. In the first, Aubrey Plaza is a filmmaker and actress who goes to stay in a rural setting with a guy played by Christopher Abbott and his wife. This couple seem to be trying to give the one in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" a run for its money in terms of dysfunctionality. The husband cannot say anything without being contradicted by the wife, and vice versa. We are not at all surprised when they have a fight, and that Aubrey's attempts to defuse the situation only heighten the tension, and Aubrey and Abbott end up in each other's arms. This story only becomes more harrowing when, upon discovery of the two cheating on her, the wife intervenes, things get physical, and the wife, who was apparently pregnant (I didn't notice) goes into labour. The trio have to rush to the hospital, and have a car accident on the way. This segment ends with the collision.
Part two feels like the same actors in the same location doing a different story. In this one, Abbott is the filmmaker and Aubrey is the actress. Abbott colludes with his wife to drive Aubrey crazy behind the scenes, and thus elicit a genuine madness on set. Perhaps they push her too far, and she goes missing, getting drunk. They find her again, for some reason naked except for a bra, and get some pants on her and make her finish the take, while other crew members are stoned and one has diarrhoea.
Some other stuff happens after that, I think. I can't really remember. I don't understand how these two parts fit together. And I don't understand the second part. The movie has great acting from Aubrey and Abbott. Aubrey could be an Oscar contender, but they don't give Oscars for weird movies like these... and probably so they shouldn't. I hope she gets in a movie with a better script that also lets her cut loose like this one did.
This is what I watched...
hpmerten-128 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe it's just me, and I'm reading more into this than there is, but this is what I saw in this movie. The only "real" part of the movie is Aubrey in the red swimsuit going from the dock to the room with the window to write her movie. Everything else is the early drafts of her movie that she is writing. She starts over at least three times during the movie. Each time we see her in the red suit it's the beginning of a new draft.
The "first" actual draft, when she is shown first arriving at the cottage in the Uber, the dialog is horrible and forced just like an early draft. The characters are constantly changing as she is writing them, so it feels convoluted and wandering. And it's supposed to. She eventually writes herself off a cliff that ends with the black bear. Then Aubrey is back at the dock in the red suit to start another draft. This is probably her morning ritual to start the writing process each day.
This time they are shooting a movie. The director is dumb and cringy at first, but slowly she writes him as a brilliant director eliciting a great performance from his wife while flirting with her costar. The movie scene within the movie has some great performances, but runs into such a favor pitch that it goes off the rails as well, it it's better that the previous draft. Then she's back at the dock, ready to start the next draft...
We are watching the evolution of a written script. It's like the director shot each draft of the film script he's been writing and showed it all to us...
I loved it...
The "first" actual draft, when she is shown first arriving at the cottage in the Uber, the dialog is horrible and forced just like an early draft. The characters are constantly changing as she is writing them, so it feels convoluted and wandering. And it's supposed to. She eventually writes herself off a cliff that ends with the black bear. Then Aubrey is back at the dock in the red suit to start another draft. This is probably her morning ritual to start the writing process each day.
This time they are shooting a movie. The director is dumb and cringy at first, but slowly she writes him as a brilliant director eliciting a great performance from his wife while flirting with her costar. The movie scene within the movie has some great performances, but runs into such a favor pitch that it goes off the rails as well, it it's better that the previous draft. Then she's back at the dock, ready to start the next draft...
We are watching the evolution of a written script. It's like the director shot each draft of the film script he's been writing and showed it all to us...
I loved it...
Puzzling watch of a movie inside a movie. Interesting, good acting, but perhaps a bit too smart for the sake of being smart...?
imseeg26 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Those EYES of Aubrey Plaza keep mesmirizing me! Aubrey's acting part is (without a doubt) the best part of this puzzling story of the making of a movie inside another movie. Simply put: Aubrey is acting that she is playing a (jealous) actress on a movie set, where her (flirting) husband is the director.
The good: this movie is confusing. But confusing can be fun. And it is. It is puzzling, weird, yet fascinating.
Any bad? This story, being smart for the sake of being smart, does distract a bit from the strength of the dramatic scenes, because I did not know what was fiction and what was real any more, therefore I could not relate / sympathize with the characters as much as I would have wanted to. The supporting actors are not very good unfortunately, which is another reason why I could not really get into this story. And because of the weird, confusing story this movie is only suited for art house movie fans of intelligent, puzzling/weird scripts.
The good: this movie is confusing. But confusing can be fun. And it is. It is puzzling, weird, yet fascinating.
Any bad? This story, being smart for the sake of being smart, does distract a bit from the strength of the dramatic scenes, because I did not know what was fiction and what was real any more, therefore I could not relate / sympathize with the characters as much as I would have wanted to. The supporting actors are not very good unfortunately, which is another reason why I could not really get into this story. And because of the weird, confusing story this movie is only suited for art house movie fans of intelligent, puzzling/weird scripts.
The Bear Means Nothing
MogwaiMovieReviews4 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A woman starts writing in her journal two different stories featuring the same three people.
The first half of this is well done, building the tension and our curiosity with some sharply observed portrayals of a strained relationship and a third party entering the battleground. Good acting and dialogue, but it builds up to nothing unexpected and there's not a meaningful enough payoff.
Then the second half begins, and the story now moves to a film set and similar emotions are played out, though to no clear or satisfying end. The three leads all act very well, and Aubrey Plaza is particularly powerful, but the acting really is all this film has to offer. The rest is only meandering self-indulgence: there's no "there" there, and I'm here to tell you the bear - which appears onscreen for about 4 seconds total - means nothing.
The first half of this is well done, building the tension and our curiosity with some sharply observed portrayals of a strained relationship and a third party entering the battleground. Good acting and dialogue, but it builds up to nothing unexpected and there's not a meaningful enough payoff.
Then the second half begins, and the story now moves to a film set and similar emotions are played out, though to no clear or satisfying end. The three leads all act very well, and Aubrey Plaza is particularly powerful, but the acting really is all this film has to offer. The rest is only meandering self-indulgence: there's no "there" there, and I'm here to tell you the bear - which appears onscreen for about 4 seconds total - means nothing.
BB Explained
bryandbusiness11 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I noticed a lot of bad reviews because the film was confusing or pretentious. I felt the same way as soon as the credits rolled. But then I think I figured it out and found a deep sense of satisfaction and appreciation for the story.
Here goes: Part Two is real life. All these things happened to Aubrey Plaza's character (Allison). She was an actor with a manipulative director husband who cheated on her. She catches him in the act but is diverted by a black bear - seemingly ominous but a bit of a MacGuffin. (In part because there's only been one black bear fatality in NY in the last 100 years.) The next morning after a swim she has a clear head and comes up with an idea for a film. Part One is that film. She gets to star in it as the other woman - a version of Blair in her real life. She also got to increase the stakes with a pregnancy and heighten the drama with the unfortunate miscarriage, all the while painting Gabe - the stand-in for her husband - as a total piece of garbage, not to mention further vilifying Blair and absolving herself with the characters.
The order of parts makes it confusing and the actors playing the characters obscures the intent. I also can't account for the name of the films - the one they make in Part Two and the one she writes on paper in the final moment. But if it was too nicely wrapped up in a bow, that would make it less satisfying when you piece it all together. It's a little bit of a Fight Club moment. If you hate the film because it seemingly makes no sense, try out this theory and you may appreciate it more.
Also, Aubrey's performance was great. I thought that watching her meta-breakdown during the final filming scene through her husband and the film crew's eyes made it even more powerful. Aubrey was acting as Allison acting but informed by Allison's real-life. Just amazing.
Anyway, I hope my theory stands up. Feel free to correct, dispute, or add on.
Here goes: Part Two is real life. All these things happened to Aubrey Plaza's character (Allison). She was an actor with a manipulative director husband who cheated on her. She catches him in the act but is diverted by a black bear - seemingly ominous but a bit of a MacGuffin. (In part because there's only been one black bear fatality in NY in the last 100 years.) The next morning after a swim she has a clear head and comes up with an idea for a film. Part One is that film. She gets to star in it as the other woman - a version of Blair in her real life. She also got to increase the stakes with a pregnancy and heighten the drama with the unfortunate miscarriage, all the while painting Gabe - the stand-in for her husband - as a total piece of garbage, not to mention further vilifying Blair and absolving herself with the characters.
The order of parts makes it confusing and the actors playing the characters obscures the intent. I also can't account for the name of the films - the one they make in Part Two and the one she writes on paper in the final moment. But if it was too nicely wrapped up in a bow, that would make it less satisfying when you piece it all together. It's a little bit of a Fight Club moment. If you hate the film because it seemingly makes no sense, try out this theory and you may appreciate it more.
Also, Aubrey's performance was great. I thought that watching her meta-breakdown during the final filming scene through her husband and the film crew's eyes made it even more powerful. Aubrey was acting as Allison acting but informed by Allison's real-life. Just amazing.
Anyway, I hope my theory stands up. Feel free to correct, dispute, or add on.
Refreshing
srdikano11 July 2022
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.
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.
Vague Art House Nonsense
MongoLloyd7 July 2021
Started out fine, seemed to be going somewhere, then they throw a bunch of vague unexplained gobbledygook at the audience. Now, I went to art school, and I studied screenwriting, so I can roll with symbolism, metaphors, and surrealism with the best of them, but a filmmaker has to decide whether they're making a film for a mass audience or for themselves. I have no doubt the director of this knows exactly what it all means, but that director failed to make it known to the audience. Fail.
Art Imitates Life Imitates Art In This Anxiety-Inducing Meta Thriller.
CinemaClown9 December 2020
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.
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.
Interesting but unsatisfying
barca_AW11 September 2022
Black Bear is an Indie movie, which from the start feels unique and experimental. The music and general atmosphere in the beginning is extraordinary and keeps you waiting for a misterious and dark journey into the mind of the charactar. Unfortunately, the overall premise of the film seems plain and pointsless at some point. The movie is missing a clear red line. This can be good for certain types of movies, but here the movie just feels like it is floating through space without clear direction. Nonetheless, Black Bear is interesting enough to keep the viewer intrigued threw its full run time. Especially artists, writers and creatives should enjoy this movie since it carefully depicts the process of creativity. Nonetheless, it feels like the something more and deeply meaningfull is hidden in this movie. 6/10.
Not What I Was Hoping For
ClaraBiento5 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I had high hopes heading into this movie and maybe that contributed to my now dissatisfaction with the story and directing choices. Having only watched the trailer prior to the movie - it seemed like it would be a dramatic experience delving into the lives of 3 artists. I thought it would show us how fast things can go array when our emotions get the better of us. The first half of the movie was great. The second half ruined it for me. It was self indulgent and peculiar; and tore apart any attachment I had to the story. I wanted reasons for why the crew were included so much in the story and it ended up just being to provide commentary on the life of an independent film maker and what independent films look like to make. The other theme of the second half - the destruction of Allison's mental well being to benefit art - was alright on it's own but since it serves no greater purpose, this too was lost in the mix. After watching the movie, the confusion of what was real or fake - missed the mark and I wasn't left curious - I was just left angry. As most are saying, the acting is fantastic. If I separate out both pieces, the acting was spot on I loved Aubrey Plaza in this movie. I really enjoyed Sarah Gadon's character in the first half (she is barely featured in the second half). Trying to decipher the relationship history between Blair and Gabe was fun and thrilling in an attempt to make sense of her actions. I would give this a 6.5 but I can't - so I went for 6. Excellent acting - but I wish the directing and writing choices cut out on the vanity and added more story.
Good premise...but
cdc12310 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Odd at first but then takes shape as a writer working on a movie and she plays out two versions. The first version was more interesting to me. The second was just thrashing about. They say a writer starts out wanting to teach something to the audience but then the writer learns something deeper at the end. I don't think that happened here. I think this needed another rewrite.
Alternate realities reveal a truth about a familiar story
lvorwick22 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It does not matter which of the two stories in the film are "real" because for purposes of the message they both are, or they both could be, given that the characters themselves are the same people.
When someone cheats, the person who was cheated on often ruminates about what the "other" person has that they dont, etc. This film shows that infidelity has more to do with the person cheating than it does with the person being cheated on. Clearly all three characters are not good people in the film but. Gabe is the one who is cowardly, devoid of loyalty and is incapable of being a loving partner.
Aubry Plaza is incredible in her role and carries the film. I disliked that both stories were predictable and uncomfortable and frustrating to watch play out given what you know is going to happen.
When someone cheats, the person who was cheated on often ruminates about what the "other" person has that they dont, etc. This film shows that infidelity has more to do with the person cheating than it does with the person being cheated on. Clearly all three characters are not good people in the film but. Gabe is the one who is cowardly, devoid of loyalty and is incapable of being a loving partner.
Aubry Plaza is incredible in her role and carries the film. I disliked that both stories were predictable and uncomfortable and frustrating to watch play out given what you know is going to happen.
Three scenarios for the price of one
kluseba2 January 2021
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.
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.
Movie-within-a-movie
SoumikBanerjee199621 July 2023
If we split this movie into two halves, those two parts could easily camouflage as two different stories with two entirely differing interpretations.
The first half leaned more towards a conventional work of nail-biter as it delineates a tale fraught with adequate anticipation and raw energy, and I liked it primarily because of the tension that was nurtured quite brilliantly.
The second part, however, embraces a "movie-within-a-movie" approach, and I have got mixed feelings about this.
They do give us some exciting insights into the craft of filmmaking, but because I am not personally a fan of all these 'breaking the immersion' sorts of things, I didn't enjoy it and felt like the movie could have done much better without it!
But hey, that's just me; if you disagree, I totally get it.
The first half leaned more towards a conventional work of nail-biter as it delineates a tale fraught with adequate anticipation and raw energy, and I liked it primarily because of the tension that was nurtured quite brilliantly.
The second part, however, embraces a "movie-within-a-movie" approach, and I have got mixed feelings about this.
They do give us some exciting insights into the craft of filmmaking, but because I am not personally a fan of all these 'breaking the immersion' sorts of things, I didn't enjoy it and felt like the movie could have done much better without it!
But hey, that's just me; if you disagree, I totally get it.
How Did This Get Any Positive Reviews?
chrismullaly4 January 2023
This was easily the worst film rated 6.5 on IMDB that I have ever seen. One film critic described it a very, very funny black comedy. I did not laugh once. Another critic labeled it a mystery/thriller. Huh? What was the mystery? Where we the thrills? The first part
of the film seemed okay as a setup. Solid acting leading to an event that led to a horrible injury. I expected part 2 to be about the coverup or follow up to said event. Nope. Part 2 was a completely disjointed, terribly overacted, incredibly boring story that did nothing to drive closure on part 1 and was only peripherally related to it. It was as though they ran out of money for actual writers after part 1, went to a local community college, asked for the D students among the English majors, and said hey guys, just finish this up for us. But instead, the D students tried to get clever. When that is just not their long suit. As Aubrey winks at the screen in the final scene, I shock my head in disgust at the 105 minutes that I will never get back. I almost never feel that way. This one was just plain bad.
The Ultimate Puzzle-Box Narrative Film
zkonedog15 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I am endlessly obsessed with puzzle-box narratives within films. Not "mystery" movies, per se, but films that use the very design of the narrative itself to challenge the viewer. "Black Bear" is the ultimate in such filmmaking.
For a very basic overview, "Black Bear" sees struggling actress Allison (Aubrey Plaza) embark on a sort of airbnb retreat with couple Gabe (Christopher Abbott) and Blair (Sarah Gadon). One night, the wine gets flowing and the tongues start wagging, and events spiral out of control. Right at the climax, however...the scene completely changes. This time, Plaza's character is the drunken, unreliable actress wife of film director "Abbott", who may or may not be having an affair with Gadon's character. Which narrative is reality and which is the story? That is for the viewer to parse out for him/herself.
If the above paragraph sounds a bit confusing, I can't really blame you for thinking that. It sort of has to be seen to allow some measure of comprehension. But basically, director/writer Lawrence Michael Levine sets up two narratives featuring the same trio of actors in slightly different roles. Presumably, one is reality and one is fiction, but few outright answers are given on which is which.
The unique frame narratives are clearly the draw here, but any narrative is only as good as the performers that give it life, and that's another area where "Black Bear" is spectacular. Plaza, Abbott, and Gadon are absolutely perfect in each of their dual roles. Even during the times when you might be a little confused (and trust me, that'll happen here from time to time!), the superb chemistry keeps everything on the screen riveting.
One thing I will readily admit about "Black Bear" is that it is made for a certain type of viewer. One, like myself, who enjoys the scope and uniqueness of the screenplay just as much as the literal plot/dialogue. I wouldn't necessarily call this a "metaphor film", but rather one that discards a straightforward narrative and instead plays around with alternate storytelling styles. If that's your thing, "Black Bear" will almost certainly stand out as one of the best films you'll see in 2020. My closest comp is 2013's "Enemy" for uniqueness of narrative supported by strong acting.
For a very basic overview, "Black Bear" sees struggling actress Allison (Aubrey Plaza) embark on a sort of airbnb retreat with couple Gabe (Christopher Abbott) and Blair (Sarah Gadon). One night, the wine gets flowing and the tongues start wagging, and events spiral out of control. Right at the climax, however...the scene completely changes. This time, Plaza's character is the drunken, unreliable actress wife of film director "Abbott", who may or may not be having an affair with Gadon's character. Which narrative is reality and which is the story? That is for the viewer to parse out for him/herself.
If the above paragraph sounds a bit confusing, I can't really blame you for thinking that. It sort of has to be seen to allow some measure of comprehension. But basically, director/writer Lawrence Michael Levine sets up two narratives featuring the same trio of actors in slightly different roles. Presumably, one is reality and one is fiction, but few outright answers are given on which is which.
The unique frame narratives are clearly the draw here, but any narrative is only as good as the performers that give it life, and that's another area where "Black Bear" is spectacular. Plaza, Abbott, and Gadon are absolutely perfect in each of their dual roles. Even during the times when you might be a little confused (and trust me, that'll happen here from time to time!), the superb chemistry keeps everything on the screen riveting.
One thing I will readily admit about "Black Bear" is that it is made for a certain type of viewer. One, like myself, who enjoys the scope and uniqueness of the screenplay just as much as the literal plot/dialogue. I wouldn't necessarily call this a "metaphor film", but rather one that discards a straightforward narrative and instead plays around with alternate storytelling styles. If that's your thing, "Black Bear" will almost certainly stand out as one of the best films you'll see in 2020. My closest comp is 2013's "Enemy" for uniqueness of narrative supported by strong acting.
deconstructing My Dinner with Aubrey
SnoopyStyle12 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Filmmaker Allison (Aubrey Plaza) goes on a retreat to a remote cottage owned by bickering pregnant couple Blair (Sarah Gadon) and Gabe (Christopher Abbott). And there's a bear.
I like the My Dinner with Aubrey section of the movie. I like its uncomfortableness. I like the built and then I really like the switch. I like the acting from all three actors and their changeover. I would use a different actor for the fake man of the house. He looks too similar to Gabe which may be the idea but that's a mistake. He needs to look completely different. I would also use more of the conversations from the first section in the second section. They could argue and rewrite some of it on the fly. She should be the writer anyways.
I like the My Dinner with Aubrey section of the movie. I like its uncomfortableness. I like the built and then I really like the switch. I like the acting from all three actors and their changeover. I would use a different actor for the fake man of the house. He looks too similar to Gabe which may be the idea but that's a mistake. He needs to look completely different. I would also use more of the conversations from the first section in the second section. They could argue and rewrite some of it on the fly. She should be the writer anyways.
Aiming For More Than It Could Handle
Neon_Gold12 December 2020
I knew going into this movie that it was going to be allegoric and I honestly love that in a movie when it is like a puzzle that you have to pick apart and find the meaning of like many Charlie Kaufman films. But I honestly just couldn't wrap my head around this. I looked up the meaning after and was like "oh that is sort of cool" but I don't think I would ever got there on my own.
I know it had some good ideas but they just didn't get me to where it wanted me.
Aubrey was great as always. She was the best part for me I guess.
I think I wish the meaning was a little looser and more in the background or even tighter and was more of a clear picture.
It will probably click for some people but it just didn't for me maybe I just want paying enough attention or something but then again I'm not sure because I was mostly confused.
I know it had some good ideas but they just didn't get me to where it wanted me.
Aubrey was great as always. She was the best part for me I guess.
I think I wish the meaning was a little looser and more in the background or even tighter and was more of a clear picture.
It will probably click for some people but it just didn't for me maybe I just want paying enough attention or something but then again I'm not sure because I was mostly confused.
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