Don't let all the famous movie stars fool you. This movie is really all about a bear. The most compelling character arc involves a noteworthy performance by a very well-trained bear. The bear even broke a couple of Robert Redford's ribs just to show him who was really the king of independent-cinema-land. But then Morgan Freeman kicked the bear's #!@%*# just by looking at him. But the story is still mainly about the bear.

Filmed inside the withered and weathered remains of the actual Danvers State (psychiatric) Hospital, built in the late 1800s, this film revolves around a work crew who must remove asbestos in a tight one-week timeframe. Unfortunately, all these guys have varying degrees of 'problems' and some animosity toward each other, and the intense, abandoned (or is it?) hospital atmosphere slowly begins to get to them all, one by one. Mike (Steve Gevedon, the co-writer) finds a series of tapes that he listens to of a seriously disturbed patient, and finds himself being sucked into the abyss as well. Gordon (Mullan) is the most troubled, with a sick new baby and upset wife, and he slowly unravels under the stress. Slow moving, but Anderson's direction really uses the building to create a creepy atmosphere that doesn't quickly leave you once the film ends. Also included is a good documentary on the real history of Danvers State, most of which is now torn down for apartment complexes.