Infinitely Polar Bear is a comedic drama that follows manic-depressive and father Cameron (Mark Ruffalo) as he struggles to care for his two daughters after ex-wife Maggie (Zoe Saldana) leaves them in his care.
Right from the get-go, the film feels like an honest look at the struggles of the everyday (even for those who come from wealthy backgrounds) and is structured around each season that Amelia (Imogene Wolodarsky) and Faith (Ashley Aufderheide) spend in their father’s care.
While it’d be easy for Infinitely Polar Bear to take actors like Ruffalo and Saldana and let them carry the film, their performances are only as good as the script. Which is to say they are fantastic, in a film that works hard to interweave a drama of dysfunctional relationships and social exclusion with the race and social issues of its 1970s Boston setting.
Director Maya Forbes adopts a Handycam style that some may find off-putting, but give it some time and it meshes effortlessly with the upbeat soundtrack to bring the film’s oft-surprising world to life.
Infinitely Polar Bear is remarkably down-to-earth when it comes to its depiction of romance. The relationship between Cameron and his ex-wife is explored and developed over the course of a year, and this more realistic approach works wonders for the talent involved. This chemistry extends to the relationship between Cameron and his daughters – much to the benefit of the film’s most hilarious moments.
Ruffalo’s performance takes a while to get going but once it does, Infinitely Polar Bear feels authentic, honest, funny and refreshing.
3.5/5 stars
Infinitely Polar Bear opens in cinemas on Thursday March 26.
