As Aventuras de Brigsby Bear

"Brigsby Bear" is one of the more original movies I've ever seen....and for that reason alone, it's well worth watching. However, I also should point out that some of the plot and characters don't make a lot of sense...as if the story could have used a slight re-write before they began filming.

The story begins in a nice home with two parents and their grown son, James (Kyle Mooney). However, you also realize that they are locked into some sort of shelter-like home and soon the FBI barge in and arrest the parents. You then learn that they are NOT James' parents but folks who kidnapped him as a baby. To prevent him leaving, they created a strange bunker world and convinced him that the outside world was filled with poisonout gas! They also made their own music and TV show just for James...and James loves the over 700 episodes of "Brigsby Bear" they made him!

So why do I have mixed feelings about this movie? Well, because it made little sense AFTER the man was rescued and brought to his biological family. They only went to family counseling sometime AFTER this reunion...and, not surprisingly, the reunion did not go well. You would think there would have been TONS of counseling and education done with James and his new family to make the transition work well....but he was just tossed in and folks acted surprised when things didn't go well. Additionally, a few of the characters made little sense...such as the police detective (Greg Kinnear) or the biological father.

Now my complaints, though valid, do NOT negate all the good in the film. Mooney is wonderful as James, the film kept me guessing and after a rough transition, things DO get better...so just hold on and enjoy the ride. Well worth seeing, though the film could have been brilliant. As is, it's just very good but flawed.

I know that tastes can't change overnight, but it's a shame that audiences can't gravitate more to movies like this. Films like this are very rare, due to the fact that they'll hardly ever snag a major release by a large studio. Not to compare the two, but last year's release of Swiss Army Man was so unique and weird that I ate it up, and I felt the exact same way about this year's Brigsby Bear, which could very well end up being my absolute favorite film of the year. Unique films are a breath of fresh air, but not all of them are great, because the stories themselves may not explore enough to truly warrant award recognition. Although Brigsby Bear won't be winning any major awards this season, here is why it's a wonderful piece of cinema in my eyes.

From first-time feature film writer Kyle Mooney and direct time feature film director Dave McCary, Brigsby Bear follows James Pope, a young man with a backstory that I can't reveal throughout this review, who has only ever seen one television show, called Brigsby Bear. When there aren't any more episodes coming out, he sets out on a mission with a few others to finish the show themselves. Becoming a filmmaker, gaining new friends, and learning many moving and comedic life lessons, this is a story worth showcasing to a very large audience. Unique, weird, and powerful all at once, this movie is elevated by a wonderfully sincere and comedic performance by Kyle Mooney as the lead.

It's very rare that a comedian can be simultaneously funny and dramatic at the same time, making it truly seem that this is a real-world scenario unfolding on-screen. Not only did this story feel authentic to me, but it touched me on a personal level in terms of how there would definitely be people like this if certain situations were to present themselves to the world. Mooney is an actor that I believe many people should keep an eye on. Sure, his YouTube career is where he started and he's most known for his role on Saturday Night Live, but he's one of those rare performers that I believe will break out and become very famous in years to come.

I truly believe that this is a flawless film for the story it's trying to convey. No film is perfect, but a film can be done perfectly when looked at a certain way, and I believe film lovers and even filmmakers themselves will be the ones who love this film the most. Original ideas are slim to none throughout mainstream media nowadays, but I dare you to come up with a premise like this throughout the past ten years. Yes, there are always similarities in every story, but when a film can surprise you even in its first act, it's something special.

In the end, Brigsby Bear is a perfect little indie film for fans of cinema, well-written, well-directed, calmly scored with care, and wrapped in a nice little bow of uniqueness. I found myself wanting to rewatch this movie the second it concluded. Although short and to the point at a mere 97 minutes, there are many hidden elements that will elevate the movie even more upon second and third viewings. I'm sure the fact that it's so weird will turn some audiences away from fully enjoying it, but like I said, hardcore film lovers and filmmakers of any kind are truly the ones that will most likely love Brigsby Bear. This is easily one of the best films I've seen all year.

Starts off a bit weird/sad then gets to be one of the most joyful and inspirational pieces of art in film. A very well written and adorable story, even written by the main actor (Kyle Mooney) James Pope, about how he's basically obsessed with Brigsby Bear and wants to make a movie about it, which is lovely. Purely delightful cult almost family flick! Also this is my 240th review which is awesome!

I'm still teary from the last few minutes of the movie, did not think it would be this emotional.

Kyle Mooney is so incredibly subtle with his acting that if you haven't seen much of his previous work, I'm positive most of the parts I was laughing out loud at, you would probably be wondering what was so funny. He is a fantastic character actor and he really pulls off a new subtle character in James, which is kind of an amalgamation of his most well known characters from his Youtube skit days, perhaps a little more naive than normal.

There wasn't a weak actor in the entire film, but besides Mooney I would give special praise to Mark Hamill, although he only has a few scenes on camera, his presence is felt throughout the entire movie, through his voicing of Brigsby etc. I actually thought Hamill was better used here than in "The Last Jedi"..

I'm not much of a critic, I can't summarise exactly what I loved about the movie very well. I will say though that the movie is superbly bitter sweet, mostly sweet, endearing and charming. And of course, absolutely hilarious, but as above, you may need either repeat viewings or be an already established fan of Mooneys work.

Finally want to mention Dave McCary. Dave and Kyle are the perfect pairing. I absolutely loved their Youtube skits and even that amazing Instagram series they made (it's called the "D and K podcast", look it up). For his first feature length film, there is no way you would be able to tell. The movie is very well directed, I tend to pay attention to how a movie is shot, put together etc, but with this it was always characters first, which I think is a great strength.

This movie is inspirational. I can't wait to see what these guys come up with next.

The initial releases - theater and home combined - grossed about $700,000 worldwide. The producers aren't telling what the budget was. Who knows if the revenue covered the production cost. But it sure didn't come close to the $5 million Sony pitched in to distribute it. Maybe they're hoping that over time it'll become a cult classic online.

I hope so too. The film deserves success. It's a spirited paean of praise to the transformative power of art and imagination. Of course the "plausibles," as Hitchcock called them, don't warm up to it. But for those willing to be carried along by a vibrant and positive vision, told with a quiet sense of humor, Brigsby Bear hits all the right notes.