The Upside of Anger

[AldaForPresident]

Did anyone else see this in theaters? It's currently my second favorite film of the year so far and it releases on DVD this Tuesday. It has a horrible, pointless, ridiculous ending, but aside from that, it's a poignant and simple joy to watch.

Joan Allen's performance here remains my favorite of the year so far. It's a tour de force, simply fantastic, and she deserves at least an Oscar nomination.

[Josh]

I wanted to see this in theatres but never got to it. I noticed it was releasing on DVD back when I was writing my column for CT, and immediately added it to my queue, so I should catch up with it by the end of the year.

[Josh]

I saw this today.

Three quarters of the way through the film, I thought it was a shoo-in for my Top 5 this year.

Then the ending came. No, not so much the big twist-- I'm still not sure how I fel about that-- but the obnoxious voice-over narration that tells us what the movie is all about.

So, all in all, I give it a B+. Allen is indeed great, and Costner is even better. The writing is mostly superb. It's funny, poignant, insightful, sharply observed, well crafted... and it all crashes into a rather clumsy ending. But still a delight.  

[dgp11776]

I saw this today.

Three quarters of the way through the film, I thought it was a shoo-in for my Top 5 this year.

Then the ending came. No, not so much the big twist-- I'm still not sure how I fel about that-- but the obnoxious voice-over narration that tells us what the movie is all about.

So, all in all, I give it a B+. Allen is indeed great, and Costner is even better. The writing is mostly superb. It's funny, poignant, insightful, sharply observed, well crafted... and it all crashes into a rather clumsy ending. But still a delight.

From what I remember, I pretty much agree with what you said.

[AldaForPresident]

I really hope Joan Allen gets remembered come Oscar time. I haven't seen any other performance this year that even compares to hers so far.