Brigsby Bear (2017)

Directed by: Dave McCary | 97 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Kyle Mooney, Mark Hamill, Jane Adams, Greg Kinnear, Matt Walsh, Michaela Watkins, Ryan Simpkins, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Claire Danes, Kate Lyn Sheil, Chance Crimin, Beck Bennett, Andy Samberg, Christopher Sullivan

Brigsby Bear is a light brown bear, with large eyes and a mechanically moving mouth. He is the hero of the universe, and with the help of the twins Arielle and Nina Smiles and a lot of chance, he outsmarts the evil Sunsnatcher. Brigsby Bear is the main character of the eponymous fictional TV series, which is primarily aimed at children.

The movie ‘Brigsby Bear’ is about a big fan of the series, who grew up with the adventures of Brigsby. James (Kyle Mooney, who also wrote the screenplay) is a young twenty-something, with a nerdy appearance and demeanor. In his bedroom, which is infested with Brigsby merchandise, he makes amateurish but enthusiastic vlogs, analyzing the episodes, making predictions about the course of the series and giving the events a deeper meaning than they probably have.

When the series suddenly stops due to unforeseen circumstances, James’ life is turned upside down. He struggles to find a foothold to deal with the new situation that has arisen for him, but he keeps coming back to his great idol.

‘Brigsby Bear’ is a loving drama/comedy about fandom, parenthood, family, friendship and the love of the film industry. And all this in a well-known concept: the fish on dry land. Where many films with this premise go for the easy way – ridiculing the person who ends up in a circumstance unknown to him or her and doesn’t feel at home there or putting that person in situations that are humorous in themselves – ‘Brigsby Bear’ takes a different approach. Nowhere is James treated with disrespect, but rather with compassion and understanding. In a sweet way the makers let him become wiser and with him the people around him. The friendships that develop feel so real that you are convinced that they will last a lifetime.

In addition, ‘Brigsby Bear’ succeeds well in conveying the love for filmmaking. A bit like ‘Be Kind Rewind’ and ‘Super 8’ did. A very fine, moving film with a believable cast and great rewatch value.