The Upside of Anger on DVD (2005)

This movie was a real gem in diguise!

A customer from North London , 10/05/2007

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!

Read all reviews

No real upside, and now I'm angry

PaulaWestwood from Ashton-Under-Lyne [Highly rated reviewer] , 09/09/2007

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.

Read all reviews

Can't agree more

A customer from Manchester, England , 11/05/2007

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.

Read all reviews

An enjoyable surprise

TopDollar from North Wales [Highly rated reviewer] , 03/11/2007

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.

Read all reviews

An enjoyable surprise

TopDollar from North Wales [Highly rated reviewer] , 03/11/2007

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.

Read all highest rated reviews

Worth a watch

A customer from london , 03/08/2008

Worth a watch... it makes you think.. what would you have done.. how would you be!!!

Read all highest rated reviews