Helen and the Bear

In the 1970s, Helen, an idealistic young hippie, meets US Congressman Pete McCloskey, a Republican star known for opposing his party and running against Richard Nixon. They fall in love with each other and with the California wilderness; together, they write policies to protect that wilderness in a shared passion that deepens their bond. Helen loves Pete but he is always away for work; in her solitude, she explores her queerness and begins a six-year relationship with a girlfriend. Helen doesn’t want to hurt Pete, but she cannot deny all that she is. The years pass and their marriage lasts, Helen celebrates her 70th birthday and Pete turns 96, they eat magic mushrooms on their wedding anniversaries and take annual road trips to New Mexico. As they prepare for Pete’s death—the first time they will be apart in decades—Helen reflects on their relationship to understand how love breaks us, and makes us better people.