Allison (Aubrey Plaza) is a film maker with writers block. As a way to find a way through it she heads to a rural retreat hosted by Gabe (Christopher Abbott) and his wife Blair (Sarah Gadon). Emotional games between the three ensue.

At the halfway point of the film the three characters all take on different roles, as Gabe becomes a film director married to actress Allison as they film a story that is remarkably similar to the story told in the first half. 

Black Bear is the kind of film that has left me baffled days after viewing it. Normally I gather my thoughts fairly swiftly upon watching a film but I still am not sure what to say about this one. Part of that is because I still have multiple opinions on what actually happens in the film.

Did Allison really experience the actions in the first half of the film and write a script and return to make the film? Is the entire film the work in progress writings of Allison during her time at the retreat? What does the bear of the title represent? Which story influenced the other or are they unrelated? 

Both stories focus on jealousy between husband and wife and the impacts of it. If this sort of puzzle and artful take on emotional manipulation piques your interest this film will fascinate you. 

Aubrey Plaza is on fantastic form as the artist who covers a gamut of emotions across the two stories. It may well be the best performance I have seen her give. In the first half of the film she is unreadable whilst in the second half she is stretched to breaking point. 

If you are looking for an artistic and brooding black comedy then this is worth your time. In the mean time I am going to carry on pondering what it all means, although I will not be as striking as the films signature shot of Allison sitting in a red bathing suit on a jetty looking out at a still lake.