Bear Mountain
Kevin Kent
language
(Inspired Arts & Media, Dec. 7, 2010)
“Bear Mountain” is a coming of age story surrounding the adventures of two very different adolescent boys. John and Kevin have grown up in the hills of San Diego as best friends since they were five. The film revolves around the lead character John, who is dyslexic. In school, John is devastated that he is in the same class as disadvantaged and mentally retarded kids. Kevin defends him at every opportunity. John has an almost photographic memory for images and is the most mechanically inclined boy anyone has ever met. He is a near genius. But, in the school environment, he is “retard” because he still cannot read well since the letters are jumbled and almost impossible to read.Kevin and John get an opportunity to go to Kevin’s family’s summer home in the Grand Teton National Park. They are as excited as can be. John is constantly being warned about staying out of trouble. John and trouble are mutually attracted to each other. When they arrive at the summer home in Grand Teton National Park, the boys immediately plan an overnight camping trip. They are able to use an old jeep to get to their campsite, as long as they stay off the highway. They create a journal about their trip. The deal is, Kevin will write, but John has to read it. A deal is a deal. John fears reading more than the Grizzlies, Wolves or raging rivers.The boy’s adventure ensues after a messy wrestle on the muddy banks of the Buffalo River. The boys decide to clean off by jumping into the river for a little skinny dip. They then swim to a small island near the shore. Once on the island, Kevin and John get separated between a mother bear and her cub. Kevin has to jump into the rapid current of the river to escape the angry black bear. He gets swept down the river and finally gets to shore, naked, right below the ranger station/tourist stop. There are numerous funny events of Kevin running along the highway like a jungle man while trying to keep covered. John, in his wisdom, borrows a ranger’s coat and hat and takes off onto the open highway to “save” his best friend.And that's how the adventure begins.