museumofdave It's so refreshing to immerse yourself in a story about a child and an adult that isn't full of stupid pratfalls and smarty-pants retorts, that treats a young person as the sensitive human he is.Bear Cub is a compelling drama with comic overtones about a gay man having suddenly to deal with an encompassing responsibility outside of his job specs, who finds that the tot left on his doorstep will be his for some time. Of course, one can predict much of what happens, but because the lives of the men involved are not treated in a shallow manner, and because director Albaladejo respects both his characters and his audience and immerses us into the lives of a gay subculture called "bears" (that most folks are not familiar with), the narrative becomes of interest despite some familiarity. The actors are memorable, the settings in Madrid typical of most big cities, and the matter-of- fact treatment of some of the less savory aspects of gay night life is commendable. You'll fall in love with the kid just like everybody else! And don't forget to watch the first outtake in the extras--it's hilarious, but one easily understands why it was deleted.

Jay Harris Finally we have a film with a gay theme in which the men are not flighty,thin,& downright handsome.Gay men do come in all shapes, sizes & attitudes on life & living.In this excellent comedy drama we are introduced to men, who are chubby,bearded & are not the pretty boys we usually see in a Hollywood film.Our hero is a Dentist whose sister is off to India for 2 weeks with her current beau,Her husband died a few years back. She has a 9 year son (wise beyond his years) that she leaves with her Brother.As luck would have it,she cannot come back in 2 weeks, & maybe not for years. Our hero & the lad get on together fantastically.He also gets on very well with all of the other guys & gals we meet.Complicating this tale further, is a grandmother. I will say no more as I do not like spoiling the viewers enjoyment.This movie is superbly made and acted. A real credit to the Spanish film industry. The characters & the situations are real, We all know of instances & people like those presented.Hollywood would not make a movie like this,they would be too scared to offend some persons sensibilities.I have seen more than a few films from other countries that are superior to the Hollywood movies on the same type subjects.We seem to be afraid to make movies showing real people & real situations,Enough sermonizing, See this fine film & you may agree with meRatings: **** (out of 4) 97 points (out of 100) IMDb 10 (out of 10)

unclebear-1 It's refreshing to see a movie that portrays "another" kind of gay man. Not the kind with the funny talk, the limb wrist and the feminine strut, but the kind with hair on his chest, a healthy pot belly and a full beard. Gay issues aside, this movie is as funny as it can get. The accent is a killer (for those who understand castilian Spanish) and the acting is superb. The unexpectedly orphaned child finds a surrogate father within the very active social life of his gay uncle, portrayed brilliantly by José Luis García Pérez. Pedro's (the uncle) friends are truly a funny bunch of friendly bears in the Madrid forest as they try to assist him in raising the child the best way possible; the best way they know. The grandmother, who adds a touch of "evil" in the story, doesn't seem to think so. Here's the true conflict. I totally recommend this movie to anyone gay, with a gay in the family or simply to anyone that wants to have a good time following this cachorro (bear cub) in his adventures with his fully developed bear-uncle.

gradyharp BEAR CUB (CACHORRO) is a delight! This joyous film has the wisdom (and courage, if US standards are applied!) to open the doors and windows depicting a segment of the gay population who are healthy in attitude, in lasting relationships and friendships, and who don't swerve from addressing issues such as AIDS, single parenting, recreational dalliances, the dangers of drugs, and the importance of family. It is honest in dialogue, in casting, and in demonstrating that all people are subjected to the same ups and downs, no matter their sexual proclivity.Pedro (José Luis García Pérez) is a successful dentist, a warmly human man who is surrounded by caring friends - primarily men who call themselves 'bears', a subunit of the gay population identified by hairy faces and bodies, stout husky physiques instead of the usual gay image of the perfectly carved gym body, and a live-and-let-live philosophy of upfront honesty, warmth and caring for their extended families. Pedro is openly gay, a fact that his widowed sister Violeta (Elvira Lindo) and her 9-year old son Bernardo (David Castillo) happily accept. When Violeta and her current paramour Borja (Cali Caballero) decide to vacation in India, Bernardo is left with Pedro for the promised two week stay.During their time together Pedro and Bernardo bond, Bernardo is introduced to Pedro's friends and is entirely comfortable by the healthy relationships he sees. Pedro is not partnered (his lover Eduardo died...) but he dates openly with Bernardo's knowledge. When Pedro is in his Dental Office, baby sitter Lola (Diana Cerezo) introduces Bernardo to go-go and other parts of the world outside and becomes a happy trio with the two males. News comes that Violeta and Borja have been arrested in India for drug trafficking, changing the two-week vacation into a time indefinite absence. Pedro and Bernardo adjust.Things take a turn when Bernardo's estranged grandmother Doña Teresa (Empar Ferrer) enters the scene, haughty, disapproving of Bernardo's living situation, and taking advantage of the absence of her hated daughter-in-law to attempt to gain custody of Bernardo, 'the only thing I have left in life.' Due to some unfortunate twists of behavior and fate, Doña Teresa gains evidence to blackmail Pedro, not only because of his sexual outings photographed by her investigator, but because she discovers Pedro is HIV positive. In her attempts to denounce Pedro we discover the Bernardo already knows of his uncle's HIV status (as well as Violeta's) and Bernardo pleads with Pedro not to let Doña Teresa take him away. A compromise is reached and Bernardo is sent off to a coed school in Valencia.How all of these twists and turns resolve constitutes the surprising ending of this excellent film: each of the characters is shown to be wholly three-dimensional, even Doña Teresa, and the overriding importance of family and compassion and love rules the day. The ending is open ended, allowing the viewer to select the way to conclude the story.Director and co-writer (with Salvador García Ruiz) Miguel Albaladejo is a master at finding the core of truth in each of his characters, their individual life styles, and the unfettered joy of living uncompromised lives. The cast is extraordinary: José Luis García Pérez is a natural actor, David Castillo is completely believable as Bernardo, and the remainder of the cast is outstanding. The original music by Nacho Canut and Olvido Gara is so in keeping with the tone of the film. Yes, there are some consensual sex scenes in this film, but they are treated with respect and decorum and without them the flavor of the film would be lacking. This is a refreshing film about the sanctity of love - and it just happens to be populated with one of the most lovable gay groups ever created! Highly recommended.Grady Harp