ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

Manthast Absolutely amazing

RipDelight This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

meeza Novice Writer-Director Maya Forbes has made a touching film based on her family growing up; which features her bipolar-disorder diagnosed father. Forbes' "Infinitely Polar Bear" stars Mark Ruffalo as Cam Stuart, a bipolar man from Boston who has two young daughters and is currently semi-separated from his wife Maggie played by Zoe Saldana. When Maggie decides to flee to New York to pursue her Masters' Degree, Cam is left with the grandiose responsibility of taking care of his two daughters Amelia & Faith. Forbes hardly includes any huge dramatic scenes of the ill effects of bipolar disease in the picture. What she does include is the daily eccentricities of a man with a mental disease carrying task after task of caring for his daughters and all the challenges behind it. The only hiccup I have of this is that subtly Forbes does not incorporate much how horrific it is to live with a mental disease as bipolar disease, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. Nevertheless, this film is really the vehicle of Mark Ruffalo, as he once again shines infinitely in a character. Mark has made his mark as one of the best actors working today. Zoe Saldana was very solid as Maggie. And Imogene Wolodarksy and Ashley Aufderheide were outstanding as respectively Amelia and Faith. So get on the Polar Express, and go infinitely to "Infinitely Polar Bear". **** Good

SandMeg If you love Mark Ruffalo--as I do--this is a must watch film. Everything is excellent: the story, script, casting, locations, costumes.... It is a rare find. I am a parent; I have friends and acquaintances with bipolar disorder. This film tackles those topics effectively and rings true on both fronts. The film is set in the late 1970s and touches on a variety of delicate subject matters for that era: class, wealth and poverty; mental disorders; biracial relationships; education and career opportunities for girls and women. And subjects matters that are still contentious today: disparity in public school districts; career opportunities for working mothers; effective parenting. Overall, this film is fascinating and I highly recommend it.

SnoopyStyle Cam Stuart (Mark Ruffalo) is a manic-depressive in Boston. During another episode in 1978, his wife Maggie (Zoe Saldana) tries to leave with their daughters Amelia (Imogene Wolodarsky) and Faith (Ashley Aufderheide). He is institutionalized. Maggie is forced to seek work in NYC leaving Cam in charge of their kids. His manic behavior is a constant source of embarrassment to them. His rich family keeps most of the fortune away from him. It's a struggle but the kids find minor joy within their father's mental issues.Mark Ruffalo is good and the girls are natural. They have a nice chemistry. The narrative doesn't really have a drive to it. It feels more like a real life unfolding. There aren't jokey moments but there are funny moments. It has a lived-in feel like a real family struggling with issues. Most of all, it has Ruffalo.

kindtxgal I agree with one of the reviewers, this film rates 10 stars...hands down. It IS also, one of Mark Ruffalo's better performances as well .. when is this guy going to get a very well-deserving Oscar?Mark Ruffalo plays a manic depressive husband asked to care for two daughters so that his wife (Zoe Saldana) can get her master's degree in business to support a better life for them.The film has heart, passion, spirit, warmth, and realism .... all bundled & balanced expertly into a fantastic drama/comedy with just the right balance of the rigors of mental illness on the individual and those that they love and are loved by them. It expertly tangos around sensitive issues not only of mental illness, but interracial marriages, parenthood, and a hatful of stereotypes all levels of society face.This hidden treasure will wrap you up in its own special "bear hug". :