BearCity

Watch BearCity

"Romance can be hairy"
  • NR
  • 2010
  • 1 hr 43 min
  • 5.9  (1,509)
  • 38

BearCity is a 2010 romantic comedy directed by Douglas Langway, which centers around a group of gay and bisexual men living in New York City who associate themselves with the "bear" subculture. Bears are typically defined as larger, hairier gay men who defy traditional stereotypes of gay male attractiveness. Instead, this group prides itself on masculinity and brotherhood, and seeks out partners within its own community.

The film follows a young man named Tyler (Di Dio), who has recently moved to the city to attend college. Tyler is gay but doesn't quite fit into the standard mold of what a "gay man" should look like. He's not particularly muscular, and he doesn't have a lot of facial hair. Instead, he's slightly nerdy and bookish, making him an outsider in both the straight and gay communities.

Tyler becomes interested in a bear named Roger (Conti), the owner of a gay sports bar in town called The Gymnos. Roger is a beefy, hairy guy who exudes confidence and sex appeal. Tyler's friend Brent (Smith) encourages Tyler to pursue Roger, but Tyler is hesitant because he thinks he's not "bear enough" for Roger's tastes. Brent, who is openly gay and a part of the bear community, tries to teach Tyler how to become more comfortable in his own skin and embrace the bear lifestyle.

The film explores themes of body image, self-acceptance, and community. Tyler initially struggles to fit in with the bear community because he doesn't have the traditional bear look. He feels like an outsider, but he's also drawn to the camaraderie and friendship that the bears exhibit. As he spends more time with Brent and his other bear friends, Tyler learns to love himself for who he is, regardless of what other people think.

BearCity also features several romantic storylines. Tyler's pursuit of Roger is one of the main focuses of the film, but there are several other romantic subplots as well. Brent is in a long-distance relationship with a man named Fred, who is shy and reserved. Fred doesn't fit in with the bear community at all, which causes some tension between Brent and his friends. Meanwhile, Michael (Gerald McCullouch), one of Roger's employees at The Gymnos, is struggling to come out of the closet to his conservative family.

Despite the serious themes that the film deals with, there are many moments of humor and levity as well. The bears are portrayed as a fun-loving and friendly group of guys, who enjoy drinking, partying, and having a good time. There are several scenes of the bears hanging out together, dancing, and bonding with one another. The film is also notable for its explicit sex scenes, which feature a variety of body types and sexual orientations.

One of the things that makes BearCity such a groundbreaking film is its celebration of the bear subculture. Prior to the film's release, bears were largely ignored in mainstream media, which tended to focus on traditionally attractive, muscular gay men. BearCity helped to bring a whole new demographic into the spotlight, and it inspired many other filmmakers to explore the bear lifestyle in their own work.

Overall, BearCity is a heartwarming and humorous film that explores issues of body image, self-acceptance, and community in a bold and refreshing way. Its groundbreaking portrayal of the bear subculture helped to bring much-needed visibility to a previously ignored demographic, and it remains a beloved classic in the LGBT film canon.

BearCity is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 38.

BearCity
Description
Where to Watch BearCity
BearCity is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon and Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent BearCity for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2010
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 43 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (1,509)
  • Metascore
    38