I thought its move from December to March was a bad sign, but it looks like I might have been a little wrong. Maybe.

And yes, I know it's really early, but...

It's currently at 80% at RT, and although that's not exactly critical gold, the positive reviews are very positive, almost all singling out Joan Allen. Listen to Ebert & Roeper's review of it (http://www.ebertandroeper.tv). Roeper points out that had the film kept its original release date, Joan Allen would have probably gotten herself an Oscar nomination. Now, that may be a little quick of him, but... oh, I dunno.

Just, yanno, perking up the forum!

Well, feel free to discuss, but I think Oscarwatch pretty much answered my question:

Early word had it that bad buzz had afflicted the Kevin Costner/Joan Allen starrer, The Upside of Anger - however, now that the reviews are trickling in, it becomes apparent that Joan Allen could have been a contender, though she probably couldn't have knocked out Hilary Swank, she might have been among the nominated five. The film looks to be a Being Julia of sorts - great performance in a mediocre film - just remember, nobody knows anything. This movie probably ought not to have pushed back. Hindsight.

Nonetheless, because of the high praise, Allen gets the distinction of being the first real contender of the year. By the time the end of the year rolls around, however, she will likely be forgotten.

I REALLY want to see this movie.

I think the only reason why this movie was pushed back, was because New Line knew it would have been lost in the award season rush. I think releasing the movie now...hurts any award consideration (except maybe SAG) but will boost box office for the film, as it will go with a slow expansion.

This film is on my hotly anticipated list. Joan Allen is a marvelous actress. Check out Pleasantville, The Contender, Nixon, The Crucible and The Ice Storm for proof.

Joan Allen could be this year's Annette Bening - a veteran actress with mulitiple Oscar nominations who gets nominated but doesn't win. I would love to see her get a nomination (it would be her fourth) and win. I'd like to see Kevin Costner get a nomination also!

Alot of great movies but the Contender was incredible.

Maybe, but it's also really a 2004 film and New Line has probably had their 2005 horses lined up for a few years now.

They wouldn't want The Upside of Anger pulling attention away from:

Everything is Illuminated
A History of Violence
The New World
Kong

Although I'm sure they will at LEAST pimp Allen for a BSA award.

I think she has a great chance at a nomination. She's also received great reviews for Off The Map, and, two good performances works...

I'm seeing Upside of Anger later today. I'll let you guys know what I thought.

She is supporting in that one?

Er. you are right, Best Actress.

You know...it might actually happen.


But the movie needs to stay alive at the box office.

There's always the best actress in a comedy golden globe.

Well, I ended up seeing it yesterday... and I liked it.

I didn't love it. I thought they could have sharpened it a bit more both in technical and writing sense, but I enjoyed it for the most part.

The first half was sort of all over the place and then it sorta started coming together and then there was this twist at the end which came COMPLETELY unexpected.

the movie itself won't stand a chance come Oscar time. It was nice and I give it a B/B+ but I don't think it will make that strong an impression for so many voters to stick with them.

As for Joan Allen. She was great and terrific even though not the powerhouse performance I had imagined from all the press and praise she recieved. If the year is weak then she might be a contender, but being released so early, I don't think she will be remembered. In my opinion Kate Winslet made a bigger splash last year with her Sunshine performance than Allen is doing with this one... not to mention Sunshine will probably outgross Anger by quite a bit when all is said and done.

Bottom Line: Terrific film but don't get your hopes high for any awards.

I'd actually give Costner an edge over Allen as a Supporting nominee. Everyone seems to eb talking about him too.

you know, I just saw it's weekend estimate and it seems like it stayed quite high with a small expansion. If it does well with its larger expansion next month, it could bode well for future prospects!

A great hold in its PTA at the box office for the first round of expansion, and it bolds well for April 1st.

From the trailer I saw, it just looked like a standard commercial romance. Nothing about it looked bad or likely to win awards either.

That's what I thought when I saw the trailer of Something's Gotta Give and Diane Keaton got a nomination for best actress. One she deserved, I might add.

Yes but she had 30 years of nostalgia working for her as well as it being released at awards season.

True, and this would be Allen's 4th nomination just like Keaton that year. She's also coming off a strong critically-acclaimed supporting turn in The Bourne Supremacy. Plus she has two other independent films coming out this year. She may not have the history of Keaton, but in many ways she's more of a respected actress than Keaton is.

Let me tell you something and also warn you....

the commercials may get a bit misleading for this movie to attract mainstream viewers.
The romance between Kostner and Allen is one of the least stressed and least important, pertinent, and interesting storylines and themes running through this great film.

It's not a perfect film and while I don't think it was good enough to end up on alot of top ten lists at the end of the year, it did provide the viewer with SOLID performances and an above average script with an intriguing and interesting theme.

So, I wouldn't go see the movie for the romance.
I hope they would really lay off that marketing scheme because it makes out Kostner to be the main character when he is FAAAAR from it. Showcase the gorgeous piece of art you have!

Aherm, The Notebook anyone?

But seriously; on oscar buzz for Allen? This movies out way way too early in the year for that.

Then again, think Eternal Sunshine...

Sleeeeeep

Or Julia Roberts AND Albert Finney in Erin Brockovich.