Infinitely Polar Bear (2015/Sony Blu-ray)

Picture: B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B- Film: B

Infinitely Polar Bear is a charming dysfunctional family film with wonderful performances and a powerful screenplay that focuses on issues that lower income families have to face when one of the parents is a bi-polar manic depressive. Starring Mark Ruffalo (in a rather eccentric performance as Cameron) and Zoe Saldana, this charming film is beautifully photographed and edited and is enjoyable from start to finish. Based on Maya Forbes' autobiographically inflected Infinitely Polar Bear, Forbes directs this adaptation.

After a breakdown forces him to leave his family and move into a halfway house, Cameron (Ruffalo) attempts to rebuild a relationship with his two daughters, and win back the trust of his wife Maggie (Zoe Saldana). When Maggie decides to go to business school in New York, they decide that he will move back in and take care of the day-to-day care for the kids. Due to his mercurial nature, this leads to a series of quirky, funny, and sometimes frightening episodes.

What works in the film is the set-up. We see this loving family joined together in Super 8mm film-style home video flashbacks and on bizarre, fun little adventures. Then we see the tone turn as Cameron starts having one of his episodes. From this brilliant setup, the rest unfolds into a satisfying third act that doesn't disappoint. I won't be surprised if we hear about this film again come Oscar season.

Presented in 1080p 1.78 X 1 high definition with a pristine, lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 track, the film looks and sounds fantastic on Blu-ray disc. Kudos to Sony for pulling all the stops here!

Special Features:

Deleted Scenes

Audio Commentary with Mark Ruffalo, Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky

Los Angeles Film Festival Q&A with cast and filmmakers

This is a great film! Check it out!

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/