BRIGSBY BEAR (2017)

Directed By: Dave McCary 
Written By: Kevin Costello & Kyle Mooney 
Cinematography By: Christian Sprenger 
Editor: Jacob Craycroft 


Cast: Kyle Mooney, Greg Kinnear, Michaela Watkins, Matt Walsh, Ryan Simpkins, Mark Hamill, Jane Adams, Beck Bennett, Alexa Demie, Claire Danes, Andy Samberg, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Kate Lyn Sheil 

Brigsby Bear Adventures is a children's TV show produced for an audience of one: James. When the show abruptly ends, James's life changes forever, and he sets out to finish the story himself.


The film rests on a kind of nostalgia that ends up leaving a good hearted heartwarming film, That takes a true crime scenario and gives every character a decency even for their worse actions.

It seems As more filmmakers come of age their personal stories come to reflect filmmaking and fads of by gone eras. Add that with the family inducing set and working on a project together creating a bond by creating big something together. Almost like a couple creating a child on purpose.

The film aims to be a late coming of age story of enforced arrested development the condition and it seems a bit of the sitcom’s humor and personality. As it comes off more as an offbeat comedy.

The film seems one note but becomes emotional as it deals with actual psychological issues. Which makes the film seem darker at first but slowly lightens up. Will admit you might be able to feel the emotional manipulation and clearly see where the film wants to go. Though after a while you don’t actually mind.

So here the act of making the film is not only an expression but is a way for him to make friends and say goodbye to what he has only known before and open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Basically it shows his growth as he essentially finally grows up. Thanks to not his peers but actually those around him mostly who are younger, but his innocence makes him so endearing that most people he meets want to help him.

This closely mirrors star and co-writer Kyle Mooney and director Dave McCary as well co-stars such as Andy Samberg and Blake Bennett, who are all SNL alum but also have been making movie home movies since high school together and get to make a film here that is charming though it takes it’s time to get there.

As the film offers to let many of the characters achieve dreams long since buried. Just by witnessing him and coming into contact tact with him. Though the script doesn’t leave the lead to be perfect and deals with his rationalization and introduction into society and some of the emotional tolls it can take. It also treats him with kid gloves and makes him more than likeable most of the time. Even if at times the film feels too sweet for it’s own good.

What is even more fantastic is that he is playing an obsessive fan and Mark Hamill plays one of his kidnappers. As we know Hamill is an actor who is essentially always I. The middle of geekdom obsession due to his role as Luke sky walker in STAR WARS. as well as his voice acting as the joker on BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Here for once he gets to play a more normal simple role. Bit his presence oddly makes it feel like the film comes full circle.

In the end the movie had a good message and is identifiable.


Grade: B-