Big Bear

Big Bear is a 2017 dark comedy film that follows four friends on a bachelor weekend trip to the mountains that takes a disastrous turn. The movie stars Pablo Schreiber as Joe, Adam Brody as Eric, Tyler Labine as Dennis, and Zachary Knighton as Sam.

The plot revolves around Joe, a recently jilted groom, who decides to go ahead with his bachelor weekend in the woods despite his fiancé leaving him. His friends join him for what they thought would be a fun weekend of drinking and bonding. However, tensions soon arise between the group, and they begin to bicker about everything from sleeping arrangements to who has to cook dinner.

The situation becomes even more complicated when they accidentally shoot and kill a bear while out hunting. Instead of reporting the incident to the authorities, they decide to bury the body and pretend nothing happened. This decision sets off a chain of events that leads to a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations.

As the weekend progresses, the friends start to turn on one another as secrets are revealed, and long-simmering grudges boil to the surface. Joe's mental state deteriorates, and he becomes increasingly unhinged, creating a dangerous situation for everyone involved.

Big Bear is shot in a dark, moody style that suits the twisted narrative. Its tone is a mix of humor and suspense, with the comedy leaning heavily on dark, absurd humor. The movie also has some surprising moments of pathos, particularly as it delves into the reasons behind Joe's erratic behavior.

The performances of the main cast - Pablo Schreiber, Adam Brody, Tyler Labine, and Zachary Knighton - are uniformly excellent. Schreiber in particular gives a standout performance as the emotionally unstable Joe. His character bounces between humor and malevolence, and Schreiber manages to make both aspects compelling.

One of the strengths of the movie is its script, which keeps the audience guessing as to where the plot is going. Just when you think you have a handle on the situation, the story takes a sharp turn in a different direction. While some of the plot developments might be a bit far-fetched, they all serve to keep the movie engaging and entertaining.

Another highlight of the film is its stunning cinematography, which takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the mountain setting. The movie was filmed on location in Big Bear, California, and the filmmakers make excellent use of the local scenery. The cinematography also contributes to the overall mood of the film, giving it a sense of eerie, foreboding atmosphere.

Overall, Big Bear is a thoroughly entertaining dark comedy that deserves more attention than it received on release. The movie has plenty of laughs, suspenseful moments, and strong performances, all wrapped up in a twisted story that keeps the audience engaged until the final credits. If you're a fan of dark humor or enjoy movies that skewer traditional genre conventions, then Big Bear is definitely worth checking out. It's a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered by more viewers.