The legion of fans of the eclectic musical group Pink Martini will be keen to know that the new Mark Ruffalo starrer, INFINITELY POLAR BEAR is written and directed by Maya Forbes, sometime lyricist of the band and sister of the group’s front woman, China Forbes.
Based on her childhood, Forbes has fashioned a funny, warm and heartfelt film about the frustrations of growing up in an unconventional family.
Set in the Seventies, sisters Amelia and Faith, have a loving mother and father in Maggie and Cam, but the relationship is put under constant pressure due to Cam being diagnosed bipolar, which the kids have dubbed polar bear. And the polar bear causes infinite frustrations.
Navigating the neuro shifts from sunny days to dark nights, wife and kids cope with polar bear dad, brazening the arctic troughs to enjoy the tropical peaks that accompany the manic swings.
With Cam unable to hold down a job, Maggie must gain further qualification to secure the family’s financial future, so while she studies at an interstate college, Cam becomes primary carer for the two girls. This creates immense challenges for all concerned resulting in a series of “escapades” as Cam is wont to describe them.
Cam is from an established old money family from Massachusetts, who will not help financially because of bizarre family rules about money: you are never supposed to ask for it.
This anti handout heirloom is beautifully encapsulated in a scene starring Keir Dullea as Cam’s patrician father.
Mark Ruffalo as Cam consolidates his place as one of the most charismatic American actors working today, magnetic in his portrayal of a manic depressive acutely aware of the precipice he verges and conscious to the protection of his precious progeny and the delicate balance of his marriage.
Zoe Saldana stretches her thespian wings away from the fantasy roles (Avatar, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy) she is probably best known for and delivers a bold portrayal of a woman, wife and mother who takes an enormous emotional risk to ensure a thriving survival for her family.
As the children, Imogene Wolodarsky and Ashley Aufderheide are exceptional.
Wolodarsky is the daughter of writer director Maya Forbes and provides a real blood line link to this marvellous movie memoir.