Mickey and the Bear

It is April in Anaconda, Montana. Mickey, a teenaged girl, does everything for her widowed father who suffers from PTSD. She shows infinite empathy for his shifting moods, addiction to pain killers, and tendency to get into trouble with the authorities. At the same time, she harbors a dream of going to college on the West Coast and of an independent, carefree life. When her father’s domineering behavior takes a particularly destructive turn, Mickey is forced to choose between her family commitment and the need for self-fulfillment. Annabelle Attanasio’s film is simultaneously modest and impressive. It is a layered construct of emotional depth significantly boosted by the powerful performances of its leading actors.