Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Screenplay by: Jimmy Warden
Starring: Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Margo Martindale, Isaiah Whitlock Jr.
Based on a true story, director Elizabeth Banks and screenplay writer Jimmy Warden meet horror and comedy fans’ expectations in “Cocaine Bear,” leaving audiences gasping, laughing and on the verge of throwing up… in a good way.
According to AP, in 1985, a mountain bear ingested a portion of the 75 pounds of cocaine that was dumped by Andrew Carter Thornton II in the Georgia forest. In an exaggerated retelling of these events, viewers are drawn into the ‘what-ifs’ of a powerful, momma bear high on cocaine.
Of course, viewers would not be able to experience this film without the classic lead character; a CGI bear. When not utterly incoherent from swallowing and snorting an insane amount of cocaine, the bear is featured with standard animal size and actions, rubbing against trees and moving through nature. Interestingly enough, the bear appears realistic even when given human traits, such as drawn ‘angry eyebrows’ or making snow angels on the forest floor. These humanesque qualities of the bear made for an overall laugh-out-loud experience when we realize how the bear mimics the effects of cocaine on a human. Those moments are quickly turned into a gory version of drugs making this animal uncharacteristically violent toward humans found in the forest.
The plot thickens when humans are added into the mix. When drug dealers, led by Syd (Ray Liotta), need to retrieve the missing drugs from the forest, law enforcement, led by Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) is hot on their trail. Meanwhile, ‘rowdy’ takes on a whole new meaning when three teenagers are introduced to the film. They spend their time harassing hair-trigger Ranger Liz (Margo Martindale) and getting into trouble from beginning to end of the movie.
The character that wins her place in everyone’s heart is nurse and mother Seri (Keri Russell) as she is dragged into the woods in search of her runaway daughter Dee Dee (Brooklynn) and Dee Dee’s friend Henry (Christian Convery). While heartfelt moments are valued in the face of a cocaine-laced film, most audience members will form a connection with Henry, who doesn’t have much in terms of parental figures, and whose witty commentary sets the scene. After all, as Henry puts it, witnessing the after-effects of an addicted bear is an experience that “stays with a man forever.”
When looking at this film head-on, while it is based on true events, all of the characters have clear wants that kept the plot moving forward. At a fair-paced 1 hour 35 minutes, and easily identifiable as an ‘R’ rated film, “Cocaine Bear” offers intriguing juxtaposition of charcter interactions, including the wild ride the bear takes us on, that keeps your eyes glued to the screen in fear of missing out.
There’s plenty to look out for in this film, so remember kids: wear your seatbelt, stick with your mom, and stay away from cocaine bears.
Plot: ★★★★☆ 4/5
Cinematography: ★★★★☆ 4/5
Character Arc(s): ★★★☆☆ 3/5
