Nestled among the giant superhero blockbuster panels and chatter about Game Of Thrones or Stranger Things at this year's San Diego Comic-Con was an oddity that comes across as both original and oddly charming. The trailer for Brigsby Bear is now online.
Co-written by Saturday Night Live regular Kyle Mooney and Kevin Costello, Brigsby Bear stars Mooney as James Pope, a young man living a very sheltered experience. Actually, it's more sheltered than he even realises, though he thinks he's being kept safe by Ted (Mark Hamill) and April Mitchum (Jane Adams). The biggest touchstone in James' world is a show called Brigsby Bear, which he has watched since he was a child, and appeals directly to him. What he doesn't know is that it was designed that way...
As we catch up with change, his life is about to change forever, but he'll hold on to the notion of the show as a way to connect with people and figure out his life. It's probably best we try not to say too much more about the story – even the trailer gives a little too much away – as this is one it might be better to discover without knowing everything up front.
Dave McCary directed the movie, which also boasts Greg Kinnear, Matt Walsh, Michaela Watkins and Claire Danes among its cast. It'll be out in the UK on 8 December, but has also screened as part of the BFI London Film Festival.