Brigsby Bear

One of the most charming, original, and moving films of the year, "Brigsby Bear" should be the break-out movie of the summer.

The unusual premise of "Brigsby Bear" is reminiscent of the Netflix hit "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," which mined hilarity out of a potentially disturbing premise. Here, we meet James (Kyle Mooney), a nerdy man-child who lives in a bunker with his father Ted (Mark Hamill) and mother April (Jane Adams). He spends most of his free time watching endless hours of a low-budget sci-fi children's show called "Brigsby Bear" that is reminiscent of the early days of "Power Rangers" mixed with educational programs like "Sesame Street" as told through an adult-size Teddy Ruxpin. The problem is, James doesn't realize that A.) there are actually other shows other than "Brigsby," and B.) the world isn't the scary place his parents have told him it is. Why? Because James was kidnapped as a baby, and his parents aren't really his parents at all. When the authorities find James after twenty-plus years, he is thrust into a world he didn't even know existed.

James is introduced to his real father (Matt Walsh), mother (Michaela Watkins), and sister Aubrey (Ryan Simpkins). But it's all confusing to James, who didn't really have a problem with his fake mom and dad in the first place, since he didn't know anything different. Being torn away from that world is shocking and disorienting. Worse still, he isn't getting his next episode of "Brigsby Bear," which he now learns was created by his fake father to entertain him for the past two decades. Once James starts to integrate himself into his new life he learns about things like movies, and realizes he can make his own Brigsby film to finish the complicated story he's been obsessed with for so long. He teams up with one of Aubrey's friends, Spencer (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), a Trekkie who understands how James has become infatuated with the show even though it's fake.

James also asks for the help of Detective Vogel (Greg Kinnear) to get some of the props and costumes for "Brigsby," which are in police custody. He then teaches himself moviemaking and sets out to work on his passion project. His family and his therapist (Claire Danes) aren't so thrilled with James' obsession with a part of his life that they feel was abusive, but for James it's all he's ever known. And it's something that got him through the lonely days and nights of a world that didn't include other people. It was his saving grace, and despite how it came to be it is important to him. This is the lesson he needs everyone else to learn so then maybe he can finally move on.

The lovely thing about this film is that, despite the subject matter, it's relatable. Every child feels like an outsider in some way. Every child has those things that make them feel different or upset in the world and they all have that one thing that gives their life meaning while dealing with all the bullshit around them. Whether it's a musical artist that feeds their soul, books that inspire their mind, or a film franchise that stimulates their imagination, we all had something that made growing up tolerable. For James, it's "Brigsby Bear," and even though he knows the truth about it, he takes what he loved and makes it his own; allowing himself to heal in the process.

Saturday Night Live veteran director Dave McCary brings "Brigsby Bear" to delightful life, whether in the low-budget sequences of the fake TV show or to the joy that James finds when he gathers his new friends together to make his film. As funny as it can be, the film is consistently touching and charming, and you can't help but constantly smile throughout. Kyle Mooney creates a character that could have been a clich� mouth-breather who sits in his basement obsessing about a TV show. But there's a deeper meaning to it all, and it goes a long way in making us understand someone whose life has just been turned on its head.

The supporting cast is all terrific; however, most of them don't have a lot of screen time. What they do have, they make meaningful. The cinematography by Christian Sprenger is especially dynamic and warm, and the beautiful score by David Wingo touches the heart.

This is one of my favorite movies of the year so far, and I urge you to not only seek it out, but tell your friends. It's an unexpected crowd-pleaser and not at all "indie hipster" as you think it's going to be. This will appeal to a wide audience, and I truly hope that everyone gets to know the talking bear that is Brigsby.