#TIFF16: “TWO LOVERS AND A BEAR”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Director Kim Nguyen brings to TIFF ’16 a Philosophical Drama, Two Lovers and a Bear, that questions how far one will go for a loved one and at what cost. When two lovers are living close to the North Pole and they both have their inner demons to face, the question gets raised as to what they will do for one another to allow them to achieve their dreams and try to escape the horrible pasts they have left behind.

The Movie focuses on Lucy (Canada’s Tatiana Maslany) and Roman (Dane DeHaan) who are madly in love with one another. They both live near the North Pole in a secluded community to try and escape their pasts but every now and then it manages to resurface and hurt them both. When Lucy receives word that she has been accepted to study biology, their relationship takes a turn for the worst and the movie starts to beg the question of how far will one go for their love?

Both Maslany and DeHaan give it their all, and their performance can turn even the most cynical of people into believers. The chemistry they share throughout the Film is truly magical and makes the audience believe what they are witnessing is genuine emotions. Two Lovers and a Bear is not to be missed at TIFF ’16.

Two Lovers and a Bear screens at TIFF on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 6:30 PM at the Visa Screening Room (Elgin Theatre) and Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 3 PM at Ryerson Theatre.