In Billy Clift’s short film, Only Bears, a marriage is two people, but often life becomes the unwelcome and pushy “third” in a relationship.
Adam (Adam Kern) and Jeff (Jeff Willey) are married bears stuck in a sex drought. Every time Jeff is in the mood, Adam’s already asleep. Every time Adam wants to get frisky, Jeff’s feeling grumpy about the pressure he’s under to support the pair. Add in the body image issues…because they’re bears. Either way, the two haven’t connected in a while, and it’s putting a strain on their marriage. Their therapist, Dr. Joy (Teri Gamble), suggests they simply schedule sexy time. On paper, it doesn’t feel romantic, but Adam and Jeff are desperate enough to give it a go.
The date is set, their libidos are finally in sync, and it should be smooth sailing from there. Adam indulges in a musical dream sequence featuring The Bear’s Tom Goss, and Jeff takes Adam on a date to a D&D escape room. The launch sequence has been engaged, but getting home in time for the deed is fraught with obstacles. Can our lovers consummate their carnal passions, or is it business as usual?
The Bear’s Tom Goss stars in a glowing, retro-futuristic musical dream sequence in Only Bears.
“Adam and Jeff are married bears stuck in a sex drought.”
Across this spectrum we call humanity, we are not that different. Whether you’re gay or straight, twinks or bears, we all have physical and emotional needs that can only be filled by our companion or soul mate. Only Bears tells this relatable story from the perspective of the “bear.”
Only Bears is not a complicated story, nor should it be. Director Billy Clift has Adam Kern and Jeff Willey’s script in full control, as Kern and Willey’s performances suggest this is, I’m guessing, a personal story, one every couple goes through. Their point? Sometimes you need to force a situation—sex—to happen, but in doing so, you often uncover what the real problem is. The filmmakers deliver a sweet, simple ending as the credits roll.
Only Bears screened at the SF Queer Film Fest and the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs Festival.
"…Can our lovers consummate their carnal passions…?"
