Infinitely Polar Bear

Mark Ruffalo, again, proves his ever-growing talent in Writer/Director Maya Forbes’ Infinitely Polar Bear.  In fact, he is so convincing in the role of a bi-polar manic depressive that, at times, it becomes uncomfortable to watch his actions, especially in relation to his two daughters, superbly played by Imogene Wolodarsky and Ashley Aufderheide. 

Zoe Soldana is, also, excellent as the long-suffering wife and mother, who is trying to build a better life for her girls.

Cinematographer Bobby Bukowski captures Boston’s late ‘70s and Carl Sprague’s Production Design, beautifully,

This is a well-done film, but my question as to why anyone would make such a depressing story wasn’t answered until after viewing, when I discovered this was Forbes’ life-story with her real-life daughter Imogene playing her as an adolescent.

I feel that this was too personal to be a dramatic film and might have been better, in terms of audience relevance, if it were a documentary.

Hopefully, Forbes’ personal demons have been exorcised with this effort and she can get on to more expansive dramas.  She, surely, has the talent to do so.

I give Infinitely Polar Bear a 3+ out of 5.