Infinitely Polar Bear
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: June 19, 2015 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews
Positive:
18
Mixed:
12
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
New Orleans Times-PicayuneMike ScottJul 31, 2015
While Infinitely Polar Bear makes an admirable argument that mental illness is something to be managed rather than dreaded like a death sentence, it's hard not to feel as if Forbes' film perhaps paints too rosy of a portrait of what can be a devastating condition to families. Read full review
60
The New York TimesManohla DargisJun 18, 2015
In Infinitely Polar Bear, Ms. Forbes hasn’t made a movie about her father’s illness; she’s made one about her father, who, through hard and weird times, clearly helped give her what she needed so that one day she could tell this story. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenJun 18, 2015
Forbes pushes the positivity a bit insistently, yet one of the most appealing aspects of her film is its depiction of kids thriving in an unorthodox household. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierJun 18, 2015
Saldana has a harder lift, as Maggie is striving for something better yet has to often be reactive. In scenes with the adorable Wolodarsky and Aufderheide, she listens and acts intently. But there are too many times when she’s forced to just look worried. Still, Saldana, like so many things in Forbes’ likable but tricky film, does her best in a tough situation. Read full review
60
The DissolveKate ErblandJun 17, 2015
As good as Ruffalo and Saldana are, the best parts of the film are the lovely, unpretentious performances by Imogene Wolodarsky (Forbes’ daughter) and Ashley Aufderheide as Cam and Maggie’s daughters. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeJan 26, 2014
A feel-good picture that is a little less affecting than it might have been, but is entertaining enough. Read full review
58
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerJun 19, 2015
Despite some occasional moments of real sadness and terror, the turmoil in this movie is decidedly on the upbeat. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsJun 25, 2015
It's worth seeing, on balance, simply for what Mark Ruffalo does in a hundred different, discrete, telling ways as he creates a character who was a capital-A Character, outlandish one minute, scarily unpredictable the next. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleJun 25, 2015
More emphasis on these darker, subterranean elements might have made for a fuller experience, but Infinitely Polar Bear is really all about a father as seen from a child’s perspective. It’s better than a scrapbook item, as in a film made to be appreciated by one family. But it’s not quite a successful movie. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriJun 22, 2015
Infinitely Polar Bear is a good example of how a film that looks on paper like a mess of indie clichés can be redeemed by fantastic performances … even if, ultimately, it remains a mess of indie clichés. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerJun 17, 2015
In Infinitely Polar Bear, Ruffalo attempts to put a recognizable, charismatic, slightly worn face on manic depression. Somehow, though, he comes up with a vaguely theatrical, and vaguely wearying, performance. Read full review
40
The GuardianHenry BarnesJan 26, 2014
Infinitely Polar Bear is heartfelt and honest, but it's too cute by half. Read full review
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