When
a movie director visits a couple living in a lake side cabin, to get away. Tragedy
comes to light, beyond the appearance of a hungry black bear.
Director
Lawrence Michael Levine creates an explorative poignant Dramedy thriller,
satirizing the predictable, obvious nature of Independent films and Mumblecore
dramas, while making a unique Mumblecore drama himself.
Black
Bear starts off somber and suspicious leading us into a direction of what we
think the movie is about - infidelity between couples - but becomes something
entirely more organic to its core. Starting off as one thing and ending as
another, but in the most honest way without a need to shock element, like a
film classic such as; Fat Girl (2001). Black Bear over all is about
unfaithfulness but at its core is truly about what makes infidelity such an
important topic of decision in Indie films and Indie films alike? And why do
most Independent films end so abruptly before have a chance to actually end? Course
these questions are easily answered due to monetary and resourceful restraints,
but which Black Bear highlights in exposing the absurdity and off-putting
instincts of such films by a Duplass Brothers, Lynn Shelton or a Joe Swanberg
who are all obvious worshippers of the unmentionable Woody Allen. Black Bear
knows such storylines are one in the same and only hold water once successful
in rarity and repeated scripts alike. That the creativity in said films only
lies in its self-involved dialogue but not it’s necessity or it’s execution.
Director/
Writer Lawrence Michael Levine needed it to be said that Mumblecore directors
are up their own asses while they ignore the expansion of film due to the
financial shackles of Hollywood. Most of all there is life beyond film and
three traditionally good-looking white people, pushing the boundaries of what
they can and can’t morally do or say within the confines of a log cabin. Yet us
Mumbleheads, wouldn’t have it any other way. 8/10.
