Movie Review

The Upside of Anger

The Upside of Anger is a well-done film that could probably get Joan Allen a best actress nomination if the release date weren?t so early in the year (it is questionable whether or not the Academy will remember her in 2006). She carries this film fantastically, with a performance that is alongside her turn in Pleasantville (B+), if not even better. The movie also provides Kevin Costner with one of his better roles in recent years, with a solid mix of deadpan comedy and touching drama for him to play with, and he does very well.

The trailer advertises the film as a rather light and charming though somewhat clich? story with a goofy sense of humor. The movie does have a goofy sense of humor but the funnier bits haven?t been advertised, and the story has deeper roots than the ads suggest. The film reminded me of Saved (B) in that it?s entertaining but also offers a story that both younger and older moviegoers can relate to; it co-stars Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, and Keri Russell.

The film focuses on a mother (Terry) whose husband mysteriously disappears, and she just has to deal with it. Terry (Allen) is an uptight, controlling, and angry woman trying to keep her sanity while raising her daughters through adolescence/early adulthood. Costner plays an often hung-over baseball fan named Denny who is attracted to her, and is a talk show host on a radio station. When Terry?s daughter, Andy (Christensen), gets the chance to work at the radio station, Denny?s partner, Shep (writer/director Mike Binder), who is in his late 30?s/early 40?s, is immediately attracted to her. This sets Terry off in a rage, which brings she and Denny closer, and he finds himself building bonds with her daughters (Christensen, Wood, Russell, and Alicia Witt) as a father figure.

One of the things I admired is that the film doesn?t overdo its material; it is funny and doesn?t go over the top, and it is emotional without being sentimental. The pacing also works well, as the balance of comedy and drama is just right. And the film features a mother figure who could have easily been an annoying bitch to watch, and Allen has woven an endearing character out of the persona through her performance ? there?s amusement alongside the drama.

I watched Terms of Endearment (C+) after I saw this because I had heard comparisons between the mother figure in each film, and I hadn't seen it yet. And even after being a fan of James L. Brooks? other films, I was let down that Shirley MacLaine?s performance was the opposite of what Joan Allen accomplished here. I felt MacLaine played an irritating mother in Terms of Endearment, and I thought the film was sappy. Sometimes an actor is so good in an antagonistic role that you love the act, but here I just couldn't stand her. Perhaps that was the point, but characters you dislike can kill a film.

Half of the story revolves around Allen and Costner?s relationship, while the other half centers on Allen?s daughters and the effect of them not having a father in the household. Although their subplots were appealing to me for the most part, not everything seemed necessary ? especially the relationship that sparks between Evan Rachel Wood and a guy at school. But the performances across the board are solid, which made up for a few of those complaints.

The Upside of Anger works in what it attempts to do; it is enjoyable and tackles family issues that are identifiable. It?s a risky premise that is supported by talented actors, as even minor characters played by Wood and Keri Russell turn into strong figures through the performances. Though the film will likely bring in more adults than teens/young adults, the movie should be fulfilling universally. There are similarities to Saved and even Moonlight Mile (B), except this isn?t as gloomy as the latter and isn?t so much of a chick flick, and more of the story is developed. Upside of Anger is an outright nicely done film.

Lee's Grade: B
Ranked #6 of 143 between Match Point (#5) and Grizzly Man (#7) for 2005 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%