COCAINE BEAR – A Review by Jenn Rohm
Truth, in September 1985 drugs were dropped out of a plane in Tennessee. Then in December 1985, an American black bear was found dead in Georgia having eaten around 75 pounds of cocaine. The bear was taxidermized and can be seen at the “Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall” in Lexington, Kentucky. This story about Pablo Eskobear (yes, I remember the name in the news in 85) has been used as a jumping-off point for the Universal Pictures film Cocaine Bear.
Loosely based on a real story, after cocaine is dropped out of an airplane and the person who dropped it is found in a person’s driveway with a bag of the cocaine after his parachute didn’t open. A few different character stories cross paths in a Georgia National Park where an American black bear has eaten cocaine, and she wants more.
Sari (Keri Russell) is doing her best as a single mom to Dee Dee (Brooklynn Prince). Dee Dee convinces her partner in crime Henry (Christian Convery) to skip school. While Daveed (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) is trying to get his friend Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich) to get himself together with the backing of Eddie’s father Syd (Ray Liotta). Ranger Liz (Margo Martindale) is hoping to catch Peter’s (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), eye. The police officer trying to track down Syd is Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who enlists Officer Reba (Ayoola Smart) to assist with watching Rosette. All while Kid (Stache) (Aaron Holliday), with Vest (J.B. Moore) and Ponytail (Leo Hanna) attempt to stab the wrong person.
I have heard about concerns over 12-year-old children doing drugs. To be clear this film is in no way a glorification or an encouragement to do drugs. In fact, you could say the characters are scared straight over the use of drugs before the movie ends. It was a risk having this as part of the story and I am glad they took the risk.
This movie had me jumping, laughing, catching hidden jokes, and wondering what I was watching. It was a campy fun movie that isn’t like others out there I enjoyed it and am glad I took the time to watch it.
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Cast: Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Margo Martindale, Jesse Tyler Ferguson
MPAA Rating: R (bloody violence and gore, drug content, and language throughout)
Genres: Comedy, Thriller
Selig Rating: 5 stars
Runtime: 1 h 35 m
Release Date: February 24, 2023
Movie Site: CocaineBear Website
Trailer: CocaineBear Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/ show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well there was nothing else . . .
1 Star – Total waste of time.
