The Upside of Anger Reviews

This movie was a real gem in diguise!

This movie didn't have an impressive trailer, and there wasn't even any hype about it. BUT it turned out to be one of the best movies I've seen this year! The only reason I went to see the film was because it was a Mike Binder project. I had had the privilege of meeting Mr.Binder at work and thought I'd check out another of his films, and I was really impressed! The movie centres around the intricacies of abandonment and ensuing anger. The script is written really well, with some very light and funny bits thrown in for good measure. This is essentially a story of a devoted housewife (Allen) who discovers that her husband has gone and left her to bring up her 4 daughters, and has supposedly run off with his Secretary to Sweden. She takes solace in booze and Denny, a retired baseball player turned sports DJ. And all throughout we see what effect her anger has on all those around her. She sees the damage but she can't stop herself. The movie is an interesting, funny, human drama that takes us on the journey of how Mrs. Wolfmeyer (Allen) returns back to her sweet self. The end is interesting, and there's an unpredictable twist to the story, which makes one ponder: is reality something that happens to us without much/any of our participation OR do we choose to play 'our part' and act the role faithfully till the end or till we realise better? The end of this film answers that question beautifully. Mike has turned out a smashing movie, well cast and really well acted. Do yourself a favour: watch it, it will be well worth your time. If only for the fact that it's a superb good feel good movie!

[Highly rated reviewer]

No real upside, and now I'm angry

Slowly pedantic non-entiity of a film, that was just about watchable. The performances were pretty good, the film itself pretty well done, but the story just trails along. If you invest two hours in a film, you really want that two hours to be entertaining, and this just doesn't fit the bill. After the loss of her husband Terry (Joan Allen) has a downer on herself that leads to her downing more than the odd glass, then along comes a partner in the bottle, Denny, (Kevin Costner) and the two sort of bond, then theres the four daughters each setting out in life, all of whom are in some form of conflict with the mother. There is just way too much story bulking padding and not enough oomph. I expected beter of this, and I really can't find much in it to recommend.

Can't agree more

I was going to write a positive review of this movie, but then I read the previous one and everything I was going to say is already there. A lovely, heartwarming, funny, sad but always real (not Hollywood-ised) film about a family struggling with a devastating event but held together by genuine affection, understanding and humanity. Lovely.

[Highly rated reviewer]

An enjoyable surprise

I didn't expect this movie to be great, and I was probably right. It's never going to be a Classic like Gone With The Wind or Gladiator. I rented it because Kevin Costner was in it, and I've always liked him. However, I was pleasantly surprised as to just how good this movie is.

The movie is about a suburban housewife (Allen) who finds that her husband has left her for his Swedish secretary. The torment she feels at being abandoned and having to raise her daughters alone effects not only her but her girls too. She takes solace in alcohol and Denny (Kevin Costner), her neighbour who is an ex-baseball player.

The movie is interesting, funny, and makes you think how you yourself would cope in such a situation. There is an interesting twist at the end. It's definitely worth watching at least once. I would probably watch it several times. Very enjoyable.

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just ok

just ok they fall in love each im laff over when they get drink and get sex find out his hubby died under ground she though his hubby lefy her for other woman not

Pointless

In spite of fine performances from Kevin Costner and Joan Allen, I have to wonder what the point of this film was. I found myself fast fowarding to get thru the film and I guess I hoped it would improve. It didn't. Don't waste your time.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Intelligent and amusing.

This is a delightfully warm and funny film, starring Joan Allen, Kevin Costner and a fine supporting cast including Ewan Rachel something or other - recently the star of a major movie you may have enjoyed.

Joan plays Terry Ann Wolfmeyer, a sparky, attractive, and normally sweet natured woman with a beautiful home, a rich husband and four gorgeous teenage daughters. (Well, who wouldn't be sweet natured with a set up like that, one might ask?) But Terry wakes up one morning to find her husband has left home. No note, no explanation, nothing. A clue, however, lies in the simultaneous disappearance of his hot new Swedish secretary.Terry puts two and two together, hits the bottle big time and gives up on life.

Just across the street, lives scruffy but dishy Danny Davies, a former baseball star, now with his own radio chat show, supremely well played by Kevin Costner. He's her husband's former drinking buddy, and now becomes Terry's. He's lovable, easy-going and even gets on with her daughters. Also, he's not married and has always fancied Terry. ( Life doesn't usually work out this way, does it?)

There is some great repartee in this film with marvellous slanging matches between the mother and daughters, who soon get fed up with mother's embarrassing behaviour. As the title suggests, it's all about anger, and how - whether repressed or expressed- it damages relationships, sometimes beyond repair.

There's an unusual twist at the end of this story, one I certainly wasn't expecting. And it made me question a few things that had happened previously ; things that I'd taken for granted. You may not see it that way. But whatever, it's a movie not to be missed. A movie to own, in fact, to watch more than once.

[Highly rated reviewer]

the upside of anger

Best KC film since 'prince of thieves.' Perhaps the fact that it is under 2 hours long contributed to its quality and my enjoyment. Liked the performances of Joan Allen, Costner and the radio producer. Not too sure about the comedy content, but a good feel good movie.

Its a cracker!

I thought it was a really good movie and the acting was spot on.

The Upside Of Anger

Well. . .i am one for chick flicks but this i found was a total mess.

Story was not quite altogether and the acting wasn't totally great.

Watched 38 minutes and decided that was enough