Infinitely Polar Bear (2014)

Genre: Drama / Comedy

Directed by: Maya Forbes

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky

Running time: 90 minutes

Cam Stuart is a man dealing with bipolar disorder in the Boston of the late 70’s. After another breakdown leaves him without a job, his wife Maggie decides to go to New York for 18 months to get her M.B.A. and then provide for them, leaving their two daughters with him. At first unsure about his ability to properly fulfill his role as a temporarily single parent, Cam decides to accept the task nonetheless, and it will prove to be quite the challenge for this unstable man.

Mark Ruffalo, who was nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes for the role of Cam Stuart, was absolutely fantastic here. He brings this character to life in such a way that you have no problem believing it. I could even recognize the traits of the bipolar people I have known in my life.

Infinitely Polar Bear offers a realistic look at things, without sugar-coating or extreme dramatization. The kids react as normal children would in such a situation, and we see a father doing the best he can with his particular health circumstances while his wife is working hard at providing a future for all of them. The main character is very flawed, as are all humans, but we see the love of this man behind the affliction.

This is a film to see.

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