Watch American Bear: An Adventure in the Kindness of Strangers

American Bear: An Adventure in the Kindness of Strangers is a road-trip documentary film directed by Greg Grano and produced by Graham Skipper. The movie explores the journey of two friends, Greg Grano and Michael Campo, as they travel across the United States, from New York to Los Angeles, in search of human kindness and connection.

The film begins with Greg and Michael, two self-described "city boys," embarking on their cross-country adventure in a bright yellow 1985 VW Westfalia camper van, affectionately named "The Bear." The pair set out with a simple goal: to meet strangers, share experiences and stories, and hopefully learn something about the world and themselves in the process.

As they travel through cities, small towns, and rural landscapes, they encounter a diverse range of people from all walks of life. From a truck driver to a farmer, from a rodeo cowboy to a homeless man, each person they meet offers a unique perspective on life and contributes to the wider tapestry of the American experience.

Throughout the film, the encounters with these strangers are paired with a series of playful, and often humorous, road trip hijinks, such as a visit to the largest ball of twine in the world or sleeping overnight in a treehouse. These moments provide both levity and a sense of the joy of exploration and adventure.

The documentary is shot in a cinéma vérité style, with no staged scenes, narration, or voice-over. Instead, the film draws its story entirely from the spontaneous interactions between the filmmakers and the strangers they meet along their journey. As a result, the movie feels authentic and unscripted, providing a sincere and intimate portrait of the people and places they encounter.

One recurring theme throughout the film is the kindness of strangers. Time and again, Greg and Michael are welcomed into the homes and lives of people they have never met, offered meals, a place to sleep, and even genuine friendship. These moments of human connection are deeply moving and affirm the idea that, ultimately, people are good and willing to help others.

As the film progresses, there are moments of heartbreak and genuine sadness, such as a visit to a desolate ghost town or an encounter with a homeless veteran struggling with addiction. However, even in these moments of despair, the film maintains a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that kindness and empathy can ultimately triumph over even the darkest of circumstances.

The film reaches its climax in a final act of kindness when the friends encounter a young woman named Stephanie, who is stranded and alone with a broken-down car in the middle of nowhere. Greg and Michael go to great lengths to help Stephanie, giving her a ride, finding a mechanic, and ultimately even taking her into their own home. This selfless act illustrates the power of human connection and the impact that just one act of kindness can have on a stranger's life.

In conclusion, American Bear: An Adventure in the Kindness of Strangers is a heartwarming and poignant documentary film that showcases the beauty of the American landscape and the kindness of its people. It is a celebration of the human spirit and a reminder that even in dark times, there is always hope and connection to be found if we are willing to seek it out.

American Bear: An Adventure in the Kindness of Strangers is a 2014 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.