Review- Brigsby Bear

Let me pitch you a film. It's a little weird but just go with it. Imagine the plot of the film Room (the adorable child kidnapping film from two years ago) but instead of Jacob Tremblay, the kid is a weird looking thirty year old dude named James who is obsessed with a TV show called Brigsby Bear. Upon his release from capture, James realises that the show was being made exclusively for him and that with the capture of his kidnappers, no more episodes exist. With this knowledge and new friends, James decides to finish the story by making the Brigsby Bear movie. As a story, it makes for an interesting parallel with The Disaster Artist as a story about low budget film making powered entirely by passion. I was never able to predict exactly where the film would go and despite some beats familiar to indie comedies, it felt refreshingly fresh from start to finish.

Being a film starring Kyle Mooney, it shouldn't be a surprise that the performances are offbeat but ultimately quite charming. For those unaware, Kyle Mooney is a comedic actor currently on SNL and he (alongside friend Beck Bennett) have pretty much taken over from Andy Samberg as the guys who make weird pre-recorded skits. As James, Mooney has a similar persona to some of his characters from before (very similar to the Inside SoCal sketch in particular), offering a very offbeat performance. He's a little slow, very awkward but, given 90 minutes instead of four, creates a character who we legitimately care about and I loved seeing him grow as a character. The rest of the cast has plenty of greatness to offer as well, Mark Hamill being a short lived but welcome presence. Also adding to the film is Greg Kinnear, Andy Samberg, Matt Walsh, Clare Danes and Beck Bennett, all being both funny and offering a little bit of dramatic pathos when needed. From performances, you aren't going to find a bad apple in this whole batch.

What I think was most surprising about the film was how incredibly joyous it was. You probably worked out that the film is a comedy and it definitely succeeds on that front, offering slightly uncomfortable but frequently very funny jokes. What pushes the film past "another funny comedy" however is the heart it has. See, this is a film about creativity and a love of films and in every single aspect, it shows. Not only do the characters and their actions reflect this but you can feel a real palatable joy at watching James get to make his film and gradually having his beloved show seen by others. If you have ever loved a TV show, consider yourself a creative person or have any respect for what it takes to make a film, I can just about guarantee you will be swept away by this film. I certainly know I was, getting goose bumps in just about every moment. Even as I type this, thinking back on the film, the goose bumps return, such is the power of the film.

This film has intrigued me since I first heard about it after it debuted at Sundance and almost a year on, having now seen the film, I am pleased to say that my expectations were easily beaten. You'll laugh, you'll smile, you may even cry but I don't think you'll have a bad time. Brigsby Bear is a little indie and if everyone went out to support it, it would bring the biggest smile to my face. The film is simply a delight and I can happily give it a