BearCity (Saturday, Octoer 23, 2010) (139)

BearCity is a very sweet movie about a young gay guy in New York City who comes out as a bear lover, a lover of big hairy men, and falls in with group of bear couples. It's basically Sex in the City but with bears.

Tyler (Joe Conti) meets bear Fred (Brian Keane) at a casting gig who then introduces the youngster to Roger (Gerald McCullouch), the king (or queen) bear in Chelsea. Tyler falls for Roger right away, but is nervous because his sexual exploits are legendary and he worries he's not ready for such a guy. Tyler has to gain confidence as a bear lover to win Roger's heart so they can fall in love and live happily ever after.

The story is totally silly here, but I appreciate that it sets up a world where everyone is gay and everyone is a bear. It's rather a gonzo world where there are simply no straights to be found and the spectrum of people goes from twink to polar bear.

The script by director Douglas Langway and Lawrence Ferber is very funny, though not all that amazing. Were this not a gay movie marketed specifically to gays, this probably would not have been made.

Most of the actors are very funny and great in their roles. Joe Conti, as Tyler, is a very likable kid who is clearly in love but isn't get comfortable enough in his own skin to feel very confident about himself or his feelings. He's funny and flirty in a very engaging way. Gerald McCullouch, as Roger, is also very funny and rather over-the-top - but in a charming way. He's a good mentor to the young Tyler, but also shows some real depth with his emotions... something I didn't expect from such a film.

This is not a movie that needs to be seen, but it is totally enjoyable if you do decide to see it.

Stars: 2.5 of 4