What’s Going On In Aubrey Plaza’s New Film ‘Black Bear’ [Review]

I was contemplating about writing a review because I must admit I don’t feel they are my strong suit. When I write reviews I tend to not focus solely on the performance of the actors more of how the movie made me feel, my commentary, or analyzing the concept as a whole. So let’s call them “reviewmentaries” moving forward. With that being said I can’t stop thinking about “Black Bear.” The Lawrence Michael Levine written and directed film was released in select theaters and video on demand December 4th. It’s definitely a movie that has stuck with me since I saw it and I’ve seen it a handful of times now since I brought the movie the day it came out.

“Black Bear” has been described as an “unexpected comedic thriller” with Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon starring in the film. Plaza plays Allison, a filmmaker in a creative lull who goes to a remote lake house in the Adirondack Mountains to find inspiration. The lake house is owned by Gabe’s (Abbott ) family and he inhabits the grounds with his pregnant girlfriend Blair (Gadon). Now to get into my thoughts of this film I’m going to break it down in how the film was shot. Keep in mind SPOILERS ARE AHEAD so if you plan on seeing this film and want to go in with no further info stop reading now, but if you’re intrigued to know why I love this film so much then keep on keeping on.

Photo: Momentum Pictures

Part 1: The Bear in The Road 
The film opens with Aubrey Plaza’s character facing a foggy body of water in a red bathing suit on a dock alone,semi wet and crying. The title card of the film comes up then Allison (Plaza) walks up to the lake house. Not a single word has been spoken yet and me as viewer is wondering how she got to this lake house. She dried off at this point and begins to write in a notebook. A second title card “Part 1: The Bear in The Road” appears on screen and Allison is now riding in a car heading to the lake house. She’s greeted by Gabe (Abbott) and the two have a flirtatious chat while walking up to the grounds. The two talk about her career and her husband (who Allison says she doesn’t have one). They are joined by a very pregnant Blair (Gadon) once they arrive at the house. Already you can see Gabe and Blair have a troubled relationship the way they are condescending to one another and Allison picks up on this.

Once settled in Allison goes for a swim and later when the trio has dinner tensions arise. Allison seems to purposely put Gabe and Blair against one another as they discuss the plans for the lake house, gender roles, and other hot button topics. The dialogue between the three actors is so well balanced that it’s easy to forget you’re watching a movie. Gadon really shines in these scenes, especially when she’s arguing with Abbott’s character Gabe, and so does Plaza because the delivery of their lines are just splendid to watch. Part 1 ends with Gabe cheating with Allison, Blair walking in on it and the three getting in a car accident driving Blair to the hospital because she’s having pregnancy complications. The screen goes black and the sound of a bear is heard.

Photo: Momentum Pictures

Part 2: The Bear by The Boat House
Scratch everything you just saw, well kind of, because this is where the mind fuck begins. The title card “Part 2: The Bear by The Boat House” appears and we’re back on that damn dock. but now things are different. As Allison walks back to the lake house she’s greeted by a man giving her a cigarette and in the distance we hear someone yell “gotta go again.” We’re now watching a movie being made within a movie. Gabe is a high strung director, Allison is his clearly stressed actress wife, and Blair is co-starring in the movie. Abbott is absolutely perfect as this demeaning director but this is all a ploy between him and Blair to get a certain performance out of Allison.

Throughout this entire sequence Allison is slowing losing her composure as the idea of her husband cheating with her co-star is being planted. That level of emotion is perfect for the screen, not so much for Allison’s mental state and relationship with her husband. This is my favorite part of the movie. It’s a twisted, calculated mess splashed with hilarious moments that hit home if you ever worked on any type of production. I have, so this second part of the film is spot on of how things can go down on set. This half of the film mirrors the first with slight alterations like you stepped into an alternate universe. You feel bad for Allison, you hate Gabe, and Blair is just there trying to give the performance of her life.

It ends with Gabe now cheating on Allison with Blair, Allison witnessing it but this time sees a black bear and walks towards it. And in some “Groundhound Day” moment we’re back to that opening shot of part 1. Foggy dock, Allison crying, and she walks to the lake house to write in a notebook.

Photo: Momentum Pictures

What Does It All Mean? 
I do love films that make you question what you actually saw. “Black Bear” was like an “Inception” type concept for me because even now I’m trying to piece together what I actually watched. Was the opening sequence really a scene from the “Black Bear” movie being shot in part 2? Or was Allison thinking back on the tramautic movie experience she had shooting the film with her husband and now she’s using that to create something? Maybe the first part was the creation Allison thought up after the events in part 2 and we actually were watching her short film in that segment.

I can’t say enough good things about this movie. While the plot can be open to interpretation there’s no question that this is a performance driven film. All the actors shine at different parts and I truy was captivated watching it all come together. “Black Bear” could be a cautionary tale of two creatives working together or it could be a narrative about art imintating life and Mark Twain’s “write what you know” personified. Either way I loved this indie and I wish more people would see it so we can discuss. I give “Black Bear” five Glambergirlblog kisses 💋💋💋💋💋

“Black Bear” is now available on video on demand and in theaters. Watch the trailer for “Black Bear” in the clip below. Does this seem like a movie you’d like to see for yourself? Have you already watched “Black Bear?” If so, I’d love to hear your theories on the film. Share all your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo: Momentum Pictures