Can't wait to see this movie.

Neither can i.... shame i can't find a UK release date anywhere!!

You know, for a film that to my knowledge was only playing in New York and Los Angeles, I was surprised to find this film playing near me. So I went to check it out, and man I was not disappointed.

How many director's have the balls to blow their own character's head up? Well, Mike Binder does. (If you see/have seen the film, you will know what I am talking about) The only other work that I really knew Binder from was from his film, The Sex Monster which was very funny. While this is a funny film, it's mostly a drama, and a great one at that. Even though he has played so many baseball players before, Costner is very good here. However, it's Allen who makes this film. She definetly deserves a nomination for her role here. Also, the twist at the end was clever.

If it's playing anywhere near you, find it. You will not be disappointed.

A+ (The first one of the year for me)

I mainly with your review.

Still have to throw in a chick flick warning = Which worked great for me because I saw this on a date.

- On that head exploding scene, that was so great - especially watch everyone's face - but I don't think it was that big of a surprise - look at how he designed that character - there was nothing pretty about him.

- Actually, he had 2 other great scenes - where he said what he said to Joan Allen at the wedding about the differences between dating younger girls and older woman - and when he got dumped at the office with the guys listening.

Small minor comments about some scenes.

- On the girls, I guess Erika C was the lead as if you noticed, she was almost always the front girl and she was the first girl mentioned in the credits

- One thing I didn't like - the pregnant girl had a drink.

- Did Erika C sleep her way into that producing job?

- Really hated how Joan Allen slaps around the guy like it is no big deal cause she was mad - a big untalked about part of domestic violence - it is hardly ever a big deal on how a woman treats a man.

- Also how they say things are OK with how Joan Allen acts - because she is emotional and acted like a bitch. Girls greatest out for all their outbursts.

FYI - It opened a week ago in LA / NY and this week it moved to 150 theaters before going wider next week - trying to build on WOM.

Mike Binder's The Upside of Anger is a wonderful, emotionally sophisticated dramedy with great writing and acting. The film has six characters present, all of whom are developed extremely well. Binder (appearing in the film) is good at creating a character who comes across as sleazy and cad-ish, but not villainous. Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Alicia Witt and Keri Russell all shine as the four daughters. Much has been said about Kevin Costner's supporting performance - it's probably his career-best as Denny, a former baseball player (what else?) who tends to hide his emotions under alcohol and snarky comments. The film belongs to Joan Allen as Terry, though. Her ferocious intensity, acid-tongued wit and touching vulnerability collide into a performance that might be one of Allen's best. She completely deserves Oscar consideration for this performance. Although The Upside of Anger occasionally descends into murky, sad depths, Binder never allows the film to lose a sense of humor, which is important. A-

Great reviews so far. I might have to see this, but it will have to be on DVD.

I'm curious...How much screen time does Costner have in this? The promos don't treat it like he's a supporting player, but the fact that he doesn't get top billing tells me that he must get significatly less screen time than Joan Allen does.

No they pretty much have equal screen time, they basically live and drink together, as they share most scenes and then they each have their own scenes.

I think he is the supporting one as it is her movie, even the title refers to her, and mostly his character plays off of her character.

That's high praise as he has had some good roles. I would have to think about which role of his I thought was best.

- Bull Durham
- Field of Dreams
- Dances with Wolves
- He also did some well thought of westerns.
plus I am probably forgetting some others.

He has a lot of screen time, but less than Joan Allen does.

Maybe but remember he does have lots of scenes without her.

- many times at the radio station
- the crane jump
- the car coming back
- the dance with Keri Russell

Etc.

Thanks, Libs!

Would you consider him a supporting actor or lead actor, and is his performance Oscar worthy in your mind?

I would consider everyone in the movie (other than Allen) to be a supporting actor because the movie's focus is on Terry. Oh, and no. He was really good, but not *that* good.

If I may ask, what was it about the movie that constituted the minus portion of your grade? Was there something specifically that you didn't like that kept it from getting a full "A" grade?

Just a quick question Libs. How was Evan Rachel Wood in this? I just love her, she's such a talented young actress.

Joan Allen was indeed very good here. As to the rest of it, I would say this movie is very average. The dialogue writing was pretty sharp, but the overall storyline meandered here and there on it's way to it's surprising but unconvincing resolution. The rest of the characters, especially the daughters were bought wholesale out of the writers' discount bin. I'm not saying it wasn't enjoyable enough, it just could have been so much more...

3 out of 5.

The Upside of Anger - Damnit, I REALLY wanted to love this movie. However, while it was a very well made, thought out movie emotionally and the ending was strong, I was completely underwhelmed by Joan Allen. There's a level in which having your central character be a nasty bitter person works. Having a secondary character is even better. But Joan Allen was so thoroughly nasty and meanspirited that even at the end all that changed was I pitied her instead of simply not being able to stand her. Maybe if I didn't have relatives just like her it would've helped, but she just felt like nails on a chalkboard. I know she's not supposed to by sympathetic, but while Allen is good the role was simply too cartoony and shockingly nasty that I couldn't really buy it. That aside, as a film it featured symbolism and underlying values which I heavily appreciated, in particular Popeye's speechs on anger and how it can twist us. All four of the daughters were very good, and Kevin Costner hasn't been this good in a movie for over a decade. But going back to Allen, I just couldn't buy him having any interest in such a nasty meanspirited ice queen. Mike Binder's performance was also well done, and it was nice to see a director cast himself as the most unlikable and not especially showy role. And once again, props to that ending, it definitely caught me offguard and made my grade for the film go from a C+ to a B bordering on B+. But I guess I just thought it'd be a more likable movie then the end result, which was very well directed but had a killer downside with Allen's character. B

Saw this tonight, and liked it more than I thought I would. Mike Binder wrote and directed a very tight film, and all of the performances were well played. I think that both Joan Allen and Kevin Costner will get serious consideration this awards season. Shep (Mike Binder) was my favorite, and the scene where Andy broke up with him at the studio was very funny. So was the scene where he was having dinner and slurping his soup, and Terry had a vision of his head exploding. Got to hand it to Binder, though, he's no fool, as he cleverly cast the best looking girl to be the one he had the affair with. :razz:

All of the relationships between the mom and her daughters were very real, and very complex individually, and her relationship with Denny (Costner) was also multi layered. I couldn't have put up with her like he did. =; The beginning scene at the funeral also kept me alertly watching and trying to figure out who it was. I was very wrong, as I didn't see that coming. Very good film.

B+

A fantastic dramedy (comedy/drama) with wonderful performances by the entire cast, but of course, Joan Allen is the star here. I've always enjoyed watching her onscreen (she stole every scene in the Bourne Supremacy), but she really shines in this movie, and IMO, I think is one of the greatest actresses living today. The movie is extremely funny at times, and it finds that perfect blend of humor and drama that few movies achieve. I'll give it an A- now, but it could go to an A upon a second viewing.

Terry Wolfmeyer's (Joan Allen, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) husband, Grey, has left her to move to Sweden with his secretary. Infuriated by his action, Terry recedes into a shell of distress, sadness, and, most of all, anger. Her daughters, Hadley (Alicia Witt, URBAN LEGEND), Andrea (Erika Christensen, TRAFFIC), Emily (Keri Russell, WE WERE SOLDIERS), and Lavender (Evan Rachel Wood, THIRTEEN), support her and her only friend is a once-great baseball star (Kevin Costner, DRAGONFLY) who visits her to discuss the sale of the forest behind her house and becomes her partner in their favorite pasttime: alcohol consumption. The question is: Is it possible for Terry to escape her thunderstorm of emotions to become a better person or will her life be forever haunted by her loss?

Mike Binder (INDIAN SUMMER, "The Mind Of The Married Man") has stated he specifically wrote THE UPSIDE OF ANGER to provide a starring role for Joan Allen. One of her age's most respected thespians, Allen has been consistently excellent, but has never reached the stardom heights of Julia Roberts, Kim Basinger, Michelle Pfeiffer, etc. Binder has delivered her a superb role, possibly her best. Terry is a complete film character: Humorous, sad, and unpredictable. Binder suspected Allen is both a great dramatic actress and a comedic performer and she is. Her Academy Award-worthy performance has the power to have you in the aisle laughing in one scene and finding the tissues in the next. Costner is also excellent in his best role since THIRTEEN DAYS. His character's transformation is excellent and Costner is perfect as both the lost and sad baseball hasbin (in the beginning) and the hopeful, quasi-family man (in the end).

Each of the daughters is a revelation. First, I must dote on the beautiful and talented Evan Rachel Wood, one of the best actresses in Hollywood today. She narrates THE UPSIDE OF ANGER and portrays Lavender beautifully. This film is placed over a three-year period, thus each character transforms emotionally and physically and Wood's award-worthy as both the optimistic junior high school student and the wise and artistic high school student. Also superb is television star Keri Russell, who is beautiful and moving as Emily, the aspiring ballet dancer. Christensen and Witt are also exceptional. And screenwriter/director Binder appears as Costner's radio producer, Adam "Shep" Goodman, a sexual deviant attracted to women half his age.

Binder is one of the most talented artists today. Though most known for his performances in multiple high profile films, including MINORITY REPORT and THE CONTENDER (the political drama headlined by Allen), Binder has also become a fine director and screenwriter. Binder's screenplay is layered and perfect. In less than 120 minutes, Binder creates involving plots for every character. The obvious is Terry's emotional ups and downs, but Costner's character (the radio station he is employed by threaten to cancel his hour-long show if he does not discuss baseball), Wood's character (her friendship with a homosexual character belittled by his father), and the others all have sub-plots, too. And his direction is beautiful in its simplicity. The seasons pass (Binder does not miss the chance to include gorgeous introduction shots of Winter, Fall, Spring, and Summer) in this film and Binder's direction creates an epic emotional tour de force that spans three years of emotional developments in one dysfunctional family.

THE UPSIDE OF ANGER is an excellent film and one of the best films of 2005, thus far, without question. Its a masterpiece of performance, dialogue, emotion, and style that suprises, scares, and amuses the viewer with ease. You would all be disappointed if you missed this utter masterpiece.

A+

I agree with Moviedude about Joan Allen. She gives an uncharacterestically weak performance, something I'd never suspect based on how good she was in everything else. The problem is that she approaches her role as an antagonist with no redeeming qualites rather than as a flawed protagonist with at least something to root for. Sure, she's good at playing bad, but bad at showing why any other character can like her in this movie. Everything else besides her in the movie is pretty good though, so I give it a B.

YEAH!!! a Kevin Costner movie i didnt fell asleep \:D/ =D>

Great Movie, the acting was fantastic the story was good too!, it felt pretty real

good stuff!

ooh and WTF with the head explotion, it freaked me out lol!

B+

THE UPSIDE OF ANGER (2005)

Written and directed by Mike Binder (The Sex Monster), "The Upside of Anger" tells the story of a somewhat dysfunctional family (a.k.a. a normal family) and the events in their lives after the disappearance of one of them. Joan Allen stars as Terry, a suburban wife and mother whose husband up and disappears without so much as a word, leaving her and their four daughters at odds with each other and leading Terry to turn to drinking. She soon finds a drinking partner in their persistent and bold neighbor Denny (Kevin Costner), who ends up falling for the confused Terry.

I thought "The Upside of Anger" looked good but didn't expect more than that. I'm glad I didn't or I am sure I would have ended up disappointed. It's not a bad film at all, it's a good one just like I expected it to be, but not an amazing one. The performances are all very good though. Joan Allen (The Contender) was really good and Kevin Costner (Open Range), whom I hate because he's an asshole in real life, was good as well. All of the actresses playing the daughters were recognizable and talented performers. Erika Christensen (Traffic, Swimfan, The Banger Sisters) stars as Andy, Keri Russell (TV's Felicity) as Emily, Alicia Witt (TV's Cybill, Urban Legend, Cecile B. Demented) as Hadley, and the real stand-out here, Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, TV's Once & Again, Little Secrets) as Popeye (her real name is Lavender but they call her Popeye), the youngest daughter and narrator of the story. Ever since "Once & Again" I've known Wood was a gifted young actress and her great performances in "b]Thirteen[/b]" and "Little Secrets" did nothing to make me second guess that. Her nice turn here is another that will be sure to look good on her resume. It's obvious to me she will grow up to be a highly respected actress that gives brilliant, Oscar-worthy performances. I see a lot of Academy Award nominations in her future and likely some wins. Also giving a nice performance is newcomer Dane Christensen, Erika's younger brother, as Gordon, a new kid at school whom Popeye has a crush on and befriends but is disappointed when he turns down her advances. She thinks it's her until he admits to her he's gay. She still doesn't believe him at first and is in denial, telling him that if he's never had sex with a guy or girl before he can't be sure and that he should try having sex with her. He turns her down though and she eventually accepts that they can only be friends. She's a very attractive girl so it's pretty obvious if he turns her down and says he's gay he knows what he's talking about. If he were straight he wouldn't turn her down. Besides, you never see someone who says they're gay or thinks they're gay end up being straight. If you're completely straight you wouldn't be second guessing yourself. I could see if you think you're bisexual, but not if you think you're gay. And her thinking he can't know for sure if he's gay if he hasn't had sex with anyone is a common misconception. You don't have to have sex with anyone to know who you're attracted to. You don't have to have sex to know if you're straight and it's the same if you're gay. I think she was probably just more in denial though than anything since she had a thing for him. Anyway, I really liked this storyline and think it was an important and positive one to have. Even if it wasn't a huge part of the movie or anything it is still a step in the right direction to possibly opening up some minds.

"The Upside of Anger" is a good, mature adult drama that is filled with very good performances, with the exception of Mike Binder putting himself in his own film as Shep, a sleazy and unlikable character which makes Binder's performance annoying and hard to accurately judge since he's supposed be this way for the movie. But a lot of times I find it kind of annoying when people put themselves in their own films, mostly when it's in smaller roles. Sometimes it doesn't bother me but other times it's obnoxious. Binder also put himself in other films of his, including the funny comedy "The Sex Monster," but it didn't bother me so much there. I find M. Night Shyamalan putting himself in his movies the most downright grating so in comparison Binder putting himself in this one didn't bother me nearly as much. He did do a nice writing and directing job, which is what he should stick to, or at least only act in the films of others.

It's no "American Beauty" and I can't imagine being able to sit through it many times, but I say "The Upside of Anger" is still worth a look. It was cool seeing a movie with flawed main characters, which I'm usually a fan of since it's more realistic and relatable.

Grade: 7/10 (B-)