Bear Cub

Pedro agrees to look after his nine-year-old nephew Bernardo when his hippie sister leaves for India. The arrangement starts as a temporary duty but quickly becomes a longer commitment as both men adjust to living together. The initial days establish a tense, uncertain dynamic between them.

Bernardo's stay stretches to six weeks without any contact from his mother. The quiet routine of Pedro's life begins to shift as he adapts to caring for a child. The absence of information heightens the sense of responsibility weighing on Pedro.

The boy's arrival forces Pedro to slow his hyperactive social life and reconsider how he relates to others. He starts reexamining his relationship with his partner Manuel and the depth of their bond. This marks the emotional shift toward a more measured form of intimacy.

Pedro manages to rekindle his relationship with Manuel, but in a tempered way that prioritizes Bernardo's needs. He learns to hold both caregiving and romance in a new equilibrium. The rebalanced life tests and ultimately strengthens their connections.

Doña Teresa, Bernardo's paternal grandmother, makes a forceful entrance and pushes for custody. Her return intensifies the emotional pressure on Pedro and destabilizes the newly found balance. The custody conflict looms as a central threat to their arrangement.

Bernardo's mother is arrested in India on drug-smuggling charges, and the embassy informs Pedro that a lengthy prison term could follow. The news rocks Pedro and deepens his sense of responsibility for Bernardo's future. This international crisis adds gravity to their already fragile situation.

Pedro starts addressing concrete needs—repairing the house, securing Bernardo's schooling, and reshaping his days to accommodate a child. He builds routines and creates a stable environment for Bernardo. The practical shift marks a turning point from casual care to lasting commitment.

He gradually rekindles his sexual life with Manuel, but with newfound restraint and consideration for Bernardo. The couple learns to balance passion with responsibility, signaling a more mature way to sustain their relationship. The dynamic shows growth without abandoning Bernardo's needs.

Teresa reappears and illegally obtains Bernardo’s medical history, exposing Pedro’s HIV status. She also hires a private investigator who presents photos of Pedro at a gay club, escalating the pressure. Faced with threats, Pedro agrees to enroll Bernardo in a boarding school for stability.

When Teresa visits Bernardo again, the news of Pedro's HIV status surfaces, though Bernardo reveals he already knew this. The revelation deepens the emotional toll and raises questions about disclosure and care. Pedro must confront stigma while protecting his bond with Bernardo.

Pedro is found in the hospital with pneumonia, prompting a flare of fear and blame from Bernardo toward Teresa. The illness becomes a crucible for their fragile family dynamic and tests their resilience. The moment underscores how illness can crash into fragile arrangements.

Three years pass, marked by a steady stream of letters between Bernardo, Pedro, his mother, and his grandmother. The correspondence preserves a thread of family ties despite time and distance. The letters hint at unresolved feelings and lingering commitment.

A funeral unfolds with Bernardo and two friends attending as a coffin is lowered, and the film keeps whose funeral it is ambiguous for a moment longer. The mystery emphasizes ongoing family tension and the fragility of closure. The scene foreshadows how the past continues to influence the present.

A cab pulls up to take Pedro from the hospital, now recovered and standing anew. Bernardo shares a kiss with each of his friends, suggesting an open, ambiguous romantic possibility. The trio reunites with Pedro, and they ride away together in the cab, signaling a cautious, hopeful future.