Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Mark Ruffalo | ... | Cam Stuart | |
Zoe Saldana | ... | Maggie Stuart | |
Imogene Wolodarsky | ... | Amelia Stuart | |
Ashley Aufderheide | ... | Faith Stuart | |
Nekhebet Kum Juch | ... | Kim | |
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Manoah Angelo | ... | Thurgood |
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Muriel Gould | ... | Gaga |
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Tod Randolph | ... | Ruth-Ann |
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Beth Dixon | ... | Pauline Stuart |
Keir Dullea | ... | Murray Stuart | |
Georgia Lyman | ... | Becca | |
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Paul Elias | ... | Dick |
Chris Papavasiliou | ... | Mr. Fabrini | |
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Patrick Shea | ... | Business Man 1 |
Liam McNeill | ... | Young Man 1 |
In the late 1970s, in Boston, the bipolar Cameron "Cam" Stuart lives with his wife Maggie and their daughters Amelia and Faith in an isolated house in the countryside. When Cam is fired from his job, he has a mental breakdown and Maggie is forced to institutionalize him. When he is released, he moves to a small apartment while Maggie works to support the children. She decides to apply to an MBA program to improve her income and she is accepted by Columbia University in New York. She asks Cam to take care of the girls for eighteen months and he agrees despite his fears. Maggie moves to New York and Cam is responsible for Amelia and Faith's education. Will the scheme work? Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
'INFINITELY POLAR BEAR': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
A comedy-drama flick, about a bipolar dad, struggling to raise his two young daughters; while his wife tries to support their family, in business school. The film was written and directed by Maya Forbes; and it's based on her own life experiences (as a young girl, with a bipolar father). The movie stars Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky and Ashley Aufderheide. It's an interesting, and well made film study; on mental illness, and how it effects loved ones.
The story takes place in late 1970s Boston. Cameron Stuart (Ruffalo) is married to Maggie; and they have two young daughters together, Amelia (Wolodarsky) and Faith (Aufderheide). When Cameron has a bipolar breakdown, he's fired from his job and put in a mental hospital. Maggie moves their daughters into a cheap apartment, in a poor part of town. When Cameron is released from the hospital, Maggie asks him to take care of their kids; while she goes to business school, in New York full time. Cameron agrees, and then struggles to maintain his sanity; while also trying to be a good father.
The film is a great examination of bipolar disease; and how mental illness effects family. Ruffalo is exceptional in the lead, and the two young girls are outstanding (as well); especially Wolodarsky, playing Forbes (as a young girl). Forbes' script is clever, and very thoughtful. Her direction is decent, but not anything too memorable. Still, it's a pretty impressive directorial debut.
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