Bear Cub (Cachorro) (2004)

77% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(2,297 ratings)

A man tries to leave his wild life behind him for the sake of a young boy in this comedy drama. Pedro (José Luis García Pérez) is a dentist who lives and works in Madrid. Pedro is also a "bear" -- slang for a gay man who is stocky and has lots of body hair. Pedro likes the company of other bears,… More A man tries to leave his wild life behind him for the sake of a young boy in this comedy drama. Pedro (José Luis García Pérez) is a dentist who lives and works in Madrid. Pedro is also a "bear" -- slang for a gay man who is stocky and has lots of body hair. Pedro likes the company of other bears, and enjoys a freewheeling sex life until his sister Violetta (Elvira Lindo) arrives at his door with a special request. Violetta is traveling to India for two weeks, and wants Pedro to look after her son, nine-year-old Bernardo (David Castillo), while she's away. Pedro initially bristles at the idea of playing babysitter, but he soon warms to the situation, and develops a paternal bond his nephew. Pedro also gets some help from Manuel (Arno Chevrier), a former boyfriend who is looking to settle into a stable relationship. When Pedro gets word that Violetta has been arrested in India for drug smuggling and is likely to spend some time behind bars, he realizes that he's going to be stuck with Bernardo for a while -- and to his surprise, he doesn't mind the idea at all. But Doña Teresa (Empar Ferrer), the boy's paternal grandmother, openly disapproves of Pedro's lifestyle, and doesn't want Bernardo staying with his uncle. While Pedro is strictly mindful of his behavior around the house, he occasionally slips out for anonymous sex with fellow bears, and when a detective hired by Doña Teresa catches him in the act, it's an open question if he'll be allowed to have continued custody of his nephew. Cachorro (which translates as Bear Cub) received its American premiere at the 2004 Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Miguel Albaladejo
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 5, 2004 Wide
On DVD: May 10, 2005
Studio: TLA Releasing

Critic Reviews

Ronnie Scheib, Chicago Reader
Thoroughly likable, it never resorts to sentimental cliches or moralistic epiphanies.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Suddenly this careful and patient movie turns cheap and hasty, with unexpected disclosures, desperate curveballs, and crocodile tears. It's not ruinous, but it's not good either.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
It turns into a subtle character study that both gay and straight audiences will find moving.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Had the story had more oomph to it, its stance would have seemed a lot more important as an artistic issue. But as things sit, it's an abstract plus indeed.
Mario Tarradell, Dallas Morning News
A touching, frank movie about parenting.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
The film's ambitions are laudable, and it manages to be touching, funny and true to life.
David Noh, Film Journal International
The film is, of course, not all sex, and, indeed, brims with observant intelligence.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
There is a family movie within the gay subtext of "Bear Cub" that is a draw for the sophisticated film-goer.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A fresh and surprisingly insightful look at human interaction, from the way we create families around us to the cruel realities of the world.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Purrs with uncommon emotion.
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
[Cachorro provides] 100 minutes of wonderfully realised characters, many laughs, some tears and much valuable insight.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Bear Cub knows about a million ways to jerk our tears, but it hasn't mastered any of them.
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Albaladejo takes a warm approach to his characters, from Pedro's boisterous circle of like-minded gay pals (known as 'bears' for their stocky builds and facial hair) to Bernardo's paternal grandmother.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Director Luis Miguel Albaladejo has an essential, rather sweet earnestness, but we sense that he likes pushing touchy buttons.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
A pleasurable amble down a well-worn cinematic street.