Overview
A heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and mental health in the 1970s.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- family drama night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film emotionally grounded and effective largely because of Mark Ruffalo's complex performance, while noting that its treatment of difficult themes can feel overly light.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cam's manic behavior and the family's instability are presented through both distressing consequences and affectionate comic moments.
Cam's bipolar disorder, hospitalization, and return to parenting form the central emotional and practical conflict.
The plot is based on Maya Forbes's childhood and depicts a family negotiating her father's bipolar disorder.
Amelia and Faith navigate Cam's instability while remaining dependent on him during Maggie's absence.
Films like Infinitely Polar Bear, and why
The Pursuit of Happyness
shared dramedy tone, parent child relationship, and emotionally grounded portrayal of family hardship
Silver Linings Playbook
shared bittersweet family drama, mental illness themes, and compassionate character focus
The Kids Are All Right
shared warm yet unsentimental domestic drama centered on imperfect parenting and resilience
The Squid and the Whale
shared semi autobiographical family storytelling, childhood perspective, and intimate 1970s setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Maya Forbes
- Release Date
- 2014-01-18
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (414)
Cast
- Mark Ruffalo
- Zoe Saldaña
- Imogene Wolodarsky
- Ashley Aufderheide
- Wallace Wolodarsky
- Keir Dullea
- Beth Dixon
- Georgia Lyman
- William Xifaras
- Mary O'Rourke
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Infinitely Polar Bear about?
- A volatile father attempts to keep his family together while caring for his daughters during his wife's ambitious return to school.
- What is Infinitely Polar Bear like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Infinitely Polar Bear as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Infinitely Polar Bear violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Infinitely Polar Bear as mild.
- What did critics think of Infinitely Polar Bear?
- Critics generally found the film emotionally grounded and effective largely because of Mark Ruffalo's complex performance, while noting that its treatment of difficult themes can feel overly light.
- Which films are like Infinitely Polar Bear?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pursuit of Happyness, Silver Linings Playbook, The Kids Are All Right, and The Squid and the Whale.
- How long is Infinitely Polar Bear?
- Infinitely Polar Bear runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch Infinitely Polar Bear?
- In United States, Infinitely Polar Bear streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
