Review of Infinitely Polar Bear (2014) by Donovan M — 09 Aug 2015

#Infinitely Polar Bear is infinitely underwhelming. OK, I've said it before and I will continue to say it, "Real life on the big screen is boring!" There are exceptions of course; like when a movie compresses a lot of emotions, stress, and frustrations into a confined space until it explodes as in the movie "Fruitville Station". Or, when a movie takes an epic range of emotions and sifts it through an extra-ordinary situation that leaves you amazed that someone just committed and incredible feat, as in the movie "Wild". The movie "Infinitely Polar Bear" does neither of them. Based on the childhood of the writer Maya Forbes, IPB is about the doldrums on day to day life of two girls dealing with their bipolar/manic father while their mother is off trying to build a better life for them. It has its moments when it takes you to the edge but, with the safety rope fully secure, it doesn't even bother to look over the precipice. There's a scene where Cameron (Mark Ruffalo) leaves his two girls sleeping so he can get drunk. But he returns to nothing more than an argument with his oldest daughter.

The mother Maggie (Zoe Saldana) starts out estranged from Cameron, and rightfully so since he isn't responsible enough to keep a job or take his medication. He spends the entire movie gaining her trust only to left at the curb when she is ready to reunite with her girls. It's disappointing. It was the only thing was looking forward to and I feel like I got robbed. But that's what happens when you base a movie on a lack luster real life ending. You get a lack luster movie. It is the type of movie you cut on for the kids while they are sitting on the couch waiting for you finish cooking breakfast.

On the good side, the acting is outstanding. The performances from Ruffalo and Saldana are as good as you would expect from actors of their caliber. As for the two girls. With this being their only movie credit on IMDB, I look forward to seeing them in future projects.

On the bad side, the acting and the hope for a fairy tale ending is the only thing driving you to the end of the movie.

I hate to say it, but, this bucket of popcorn is small and it comes without any salt or butter.