Black Bear
There are two sections in Lawrence Michael Levine’s “Black Bear,” and being able to discern which one is reality and which one is in the mind of Aubrey Plaza’s Allison, if either of them are reality, is one of the most complicated aspects of the film. One of the least complicated aspects of “Black Bear” is how great Plaza is in the main role- she is sensational.
The film begins with Allison sitting on a beach towel, on a pier, overlooking a lake. She is at a lake house with two other people- Gabe (Christopher Abbott) and Blair (Sarah Gadon)- who want to rent it out as a place for creative people to relax, recharge, and find inspiration. As the three talk, though, something feels off about the personal dynamics- Gabe and Blair are married, and expecting a kid, but it seems as though Gabe and Allison have a history, or not. Either way, there are personality clashes that get in the way of getting along, and when tragedy seems ready to strike, a breaking point arises. We then find ourselves back with Allison on the pier, but the context is different. The dynamic remains, but we see the relationships through a different lens.
One of the reasons “Black Bear” succeeds as much as it does is the fact that Levine doesn’t give us any definitive clues as to how the film’s story is meant to be taken as it unfolds, and it feels as though either way is valid until the movie does clue us in at the end. I can’t remember too many other films that really dive in to the psychological complexity of the creative process, and how it lets people work through emotions, in such a way that this does. We’re almost watching the inner thoughts of an artist unfold on the screen, trying to work through its emotions in a way that is compelling to watch, seeing which way is more satisfying, but always ending up back at the same place. Heading things up are Plaza, and this is the best work she’s ever done. You cannot take your eyes off of her, and seeing how she interacts with Abbott and Gadon, especially, is riveting cinema. The dance these three have playing out between each other makes for a psychological drama that is compelling, and keeps us guess in terms of how it’s going to play out. Sometimes, the creative process is an anxiety-inducing one.
