Sunday, June 23, 2024, 2:15 PM, Vogue Theatre, not streaming, U.S. premiere
(screens with the World Premiere of “Threshold,” 👏 which is also in the “Wild Combination” streaming shorts program)
 |
| Helen and the Bear |
In 1966, Paul “Pete” McCloskey, a Purple Heart veteran of the Korean War, was elected to the first of 8 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing San Mateo County as a Republican. He wasn’t a typical Republican Congressman, though: he was opposed to the Vietnam War (and ran against Nixon in the 1972 Republican Presidential primaries), he was the first Republican in the House to call for Nixon’s impeachment, he co-authored the Endangered Species Act, and he publicly opposed the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights.
This “cinéma vérité” portrait focuses on the relationship between McCloskey and his second wife, Helen. Helen was a libertine, using cannabis, cocaine, and shrooms, and having sexual relationships with women. Their union was unconventional, to say the least, but they clearly loved one another and made it work for more than 40 years.
Helen and “Bear” are fascinating, individually and as a couple, but unfortunately this film meanders through much of the material at a bit too leisurely a pace. It would have benefited from additional editing. Still, though, two people and a unique relationship worthy of “Highly recommended.”
💔 “Bear” passed away May 8, 2024, at age 96, after the completion of the film and its world premiere at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto. Sincere condolences to Helen and all of their family and friends.
• IMDb • Official website • Filmmaker • preview • Rotten Tomatoes: [not yet scored] • Hot Docs review •
No comments:
Post a Comment