Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
For Writer/Director Maya Forbes, the subject of Mental Illness  in her Films is very different from what she is used to, however she makes it work beyond expectations in Infinitely Polar Bear. Her ability to capture the realism of such a powerful Disease is spellbinding as she truly captures the hardships experienced by its Victims and their Loved Ones. However, her work alone in crafting a magnificent Script only gets accentuated by an extremely talented Cast fronted by Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana.
The Movie focuses mainly on Cameron (Mark Ruffalo) and his two Children Amelia (Imogene Wolodarsky) and Faith (Ashley Aufderheide). He is trying to get his life together, and reconnect with his family and more importantly prove to his Wife, Maggie (Zoe Saldana), that he is not a dead beat and is in control of his Disease. When times get tough for Maggie and the Children, she reaches-out to Cameron asking if he will take full responsibility of the Children so she can go to New York to study at Columbia and get her MBA. Cameron hesitantly accepts the challenge, as he wants to prove his ability to be a proper Father to his Wife and Children. However, with Diseases such as Manic Depression/Bi-Polar Disorder, it is more difficult than it might seem.
Throughout the Film, Ruffalo delivers one of the best performances of his celebrated Career and proves his wide range, as does Saldana. Infinitely Polar Bear may be something difficult to watch, but it is worth fighting through the hardship to see this Diamond in the rough.
Infinitely Polar Bear screens Wednesday, September 10, 2014 6:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and Thursday, September 11, 2014 12:30 PM at Winter Garden Theatre.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com