Watch Mickey and the Bear

Mickey and the Bear is a heart-wrenching drama that revolves around a daughter-father relationship that gradually breaks apart due to the burden of responsibilities, personal struggles, and generational differences. The movie, which premiered at the 2019 SXSW film festival, is directed by Annabelle Attanasio, who is also the screenwriter of the movie.

The story is set in Anaconda, Montana, where a teenage girl, Mickey (Camila Morrone), lives with her father, Hank (James Badge Dale), who is a veteran suffering from PTSD and addiction. Mickey is a bright student who aspires to leave the small town and study in Berkeley, California, after graduating from high school. Hank, on the other hand, is a truck mechanic who struggles to cope with his mental and physical health issues after his older son's death in Afghanistan.

As the story unfolds, Mickey finds herself amid a dilemma - whether to leave her father or take responsibility for him and her love interest, Aron (Calvin Demba), who is also Hank's employee, before he can rescue himself. It is not an easy decision, as it means sacrificing her dream and future for the sake of her father, who is still struggling to break free from his addiction and coping mechanisms.

Mickey and the Bear is a story about the consequences of human relationships and the specter of grief that haunts them. The film takes the audience beyond the surface of a father-daughter bond and delves into the complexities of it. Hank is a father that loves his daughter, yet he is unable to let go of his past and mental health issues. He turns to alcohol and drugs to dull his pain and forget the horrors he experienced while serving in the military.

Mickey, on the other hand, tends to take the burden of her father's health and Aron's career choice as a medical doctor. However, as the responsibility becomes too much to bear, she realizes that she could potentially destroy herself in the process of saving others. The movie portrays her dilemma and inner struggles as she battles her emotions, aspirations, and fears.

The movie also explores the theme of gender roles in society. Mickey lives in a patriarchal society where men are supposed to be tough, and women are meant to take care of the familial responsibilities. She finds herself in a situation that defies those norms, as she shoulders the responsibilities of taking care of her father and Aron, who also comes from a multi-cultural background.

Camila Morrone does a brilliant job of portraying the character of Mickey. She gracefully portrays the role of a teenager who is struggling with her future and present while trying to manage her ailing father's welfare. James Badge Dale is equally impressive in his portrayal of a broken man who cannot seem to overcome his demons. The chemistry between Morrone and Dale is palpable and genuine, effectively showcasing the range of emotions that evolve during the course of the film.

In conclusion, Mickey and the Bear is an emotionally charged and thought-provoking movie that captures the heartache of a broken relationship between a teenage girl and her ailing father. The film provides an honest and upfront portrayal of the issues that underlie societies and communities as a whole. It is a remarkable debut film for Annabelle Attanasio, and the exceptional performances of the cast make it a must-watch drama.

Mickey and the Bear is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 79.