Although the culture shock he experiences in Thailand is daunting, Dennis feels more comfortable after meeting Scott, the middle-aged American man who introduced Bent to his wife.

Despite his reservations, Dennis takes one of the prostitutes back to his hotel room, but the artificial nature of the situation makes him hesitant and he rejects her advances.

Dennis notices that his shyness and social ineptitude vanish when he discusses his passion for bodybuilding, and Prap introduces him to Toi, the Thai woman who owns the gym.

A day of fun and sightseeing builds up to an evening visit to Toi's apartment, where the two kiss passionately, but Dennis' shyness resurfaces and he abruptly leaves.

Her attempts to play the victim fail as Dennis is now too determined to become independent, so he packs his belongings and kisses her goodbye before getting into a car with Toi, with whom he exchanges a loving look while they drive to their new home.

[10] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote, "It's only to say that the movie's no-frills realism derives from common aesthetic strategies like hand-held cinematography and nonprofessional acting."

Dargis also opined, "Although there are times when this world of tight smiles, monstrous maternity and hovering camerawork can feel too familiar, Mr. Matthiesen has a way of consistently and gently upending expectations, sometimes with humor.

"[11] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter stated, "Teddy Bear is not the most substantial film, but it has a restrained charm and an emotional payoff in keeping with its prevailing understatement.

"[13] Dennis Harvey of Variety noted, "The low-key drama is well crafted and likable as far as it goes, but there's not enough narrative impetus or depth to maintain more than passing viewer interest."