Film discussion Tuesday night: Infinitely Polar Bear

And, sad to say, mental illness, even conditions as mild as depression and bi-polar disorder are on that list.

Many moviegoers are reluctant to see movies with otherly-sane people because they can get all the exposure they need to such people at work or in line at the DMV. Or, as Jack Nicholson’s nasty character says in As Good As It Gets, “Sell crazy someplace else. We’re all stocked up here.”

Yes, this week’s movie discussion does indeed center on a bi-polar man—played by the infinitely versatile Mark Ruffalo—who decides to impress his wife (Zoe Saldana) by taking on the raising of their two daughters all by himself. But Cameron (Ruffalo’s character) is a charming and talented person, and it’s his energy and good humor that push Infinitely Polar Bear in directions I think you will like. There are no “attendants” in white uniforms, syringes seen in close-up or scenes out of Shock Corridor to worry about.

In fact, from my reading, it looks like Infinitely P.B. is closer to being a comedy about two happy and resilient children and their unpredictable father rather than a story about the dangers of being manic-depressive.

I’m not trying to make excuses for the movie. I’m sure there are scenes of sadness. But everyone who writes about the film also tells me that the mood is upbeat. Besides, comedy without a little pain is generally pretty thin gruel.

So, put that together with the Oscar buzz about Ruffalo’s performance, and you have a great movie for the last Tuesday before Labor Day.

This is the second movie in my “Four Tuesdays In a Row” stretch of discussions. Next week, with all our going-back-to-school clothes on, we will be discussion Mr. Holmes with the redoubtable Ian McKellen doing the aging Sherlock bit. Then on September 15, we will raise our literary consciousness by watching The End of the Tour.
I hope to see you at all of them. Attendance will be taken. I’ll be waiting for a signed note from your doctor is you’re absent.

Paul Goodwin
TMHMG