Mickey and the Bear

"Mickey and the Bear" unfolds languidly, allowing tension to build slowly, intimately.

Every shot in "Mickey and the Bear" is scrupulously judged but never overworked or fussy, resulting in a movie that is as artful as it is unforced.

Even at its most dire, Mickey and the Bear is tinged with an almost holy hope for all involved, a rare and remarkable feat to pull off so well for a first-time director indeed.

Through these complicated dynamics, Morrone navigates her character's many highs and lows with a touching sense of authenticity.

The best thing one can say about Attanasio's approach to this material... is that she understands how complicated people's lives are when on the surface their issues might seem cut-and-dried.

Small but deeply felt.

Mickey, the heroine of this thoughtful coming-of-age drama, is not your usual Midwest teenager. When she surreptitiously dips into her father's wallet, it's to put money in rather than take it out.

A character study pulled off through superb performances.

When Mickey is finally pushed to action, it's a relief, suffusing Mickey and the Bear with a feeling of hope amid the darkness and transforming a good film into a great one.

Writer/director Annabelle Attanasio... in her debut feature, shows a mature handling of interpersonal dynamics.