REVIEW: Bear Cub (2004)

Movie Review: Cachorro (2004)
English translation: Bear Cub
Review by J. Rocci
Rating: Rated R for sexuality, drug use and language
Starring: José Luis García Pérez, David Castillo and Empar Ferrer
Language: Spanish with English subtitles

IMDB.com synopsis

Pedro, a gay man with an active social life and big circle of friends, takes in his nephew Bernardo for a couple weeks. When it appears as though it might become a permanent arrangement, however, Pedro turns to his friends for guidance as he and 9-year-old Bernardo begin to forge a household together.

J thinks:

I'm debating on how much I liked this film. I mean, I liked it-- The plot was original, it made you put a lot together on your own first, then validated your conclusions, and the relationships in it were obviously complex.

My only complaint is that the climax felt more like an epilogue than a culmination of all the rising action. It didn't leave you hanging, but it felt pared down (Perhaps due to time constraints?) and not as fleshed out as the rest of the movie. It was true to the characters, yes, but still. It felt rushed.

But I liked all the characters, and it was definitely a movie that emphasized shades-of-grey rather than falling into obvious stereotypes. Pedro, the main character, has reasons for acting the way he does and keeping people distant, but he's a nice guy about it so you really can't hold it against him. Bernardo sees/knows more than everyone expects him to (except his mother), and he's not a total brat about it. He's a mature kid who still acts like a kid at times, making him very believable. I even felt bad for the grandmother.

All in all, a film with complex characterizations that really carry the whole thing, and through that, the plot is believable. I'd recommend it for people who aren't looking for heavy action and want a film to dissect afterwards.