Watch The Upside of Anger

The Upside of Anger is a complex drama from 2005, directed and written by Mike Binder. The movie tells the story of a woman named Terry Wolfmeyer, played by Joan Allen, who is struggling to come to terms with her husband's disappearance. Terry is a wife and a mother of four daughters who are growing up fast and who have different approaches to coping with their family's struggles. The film explores the dynamic between Terry and her daughters, as well as the relationships she forms with her neighbor, Denny, played by Kevin Costner, and his daughter, Emily, played by Erika Christensen.

Terry's daughters are Lily, Andy, Hadley, and Popeye, all of whom are dealing with their father's absence in their own way. Lily, the oldest, takes on a lot of responsibility and helps to keep the family together. Andy, the second oldest, is more rebellious and starts to look for independence. Hadley is still in high school and is trying to figure out where she fits in, while Popeye is the youngest and most innocent.

Denny is an aging former baseball player who lives next door to Terry. They develop a friendship that quickly progresses into something more. However, their romance is complicated by Terry's unresolved anger towards her husband and Denny's previous relationships.

Throughout the movie, Terry is portrayed as a woman with a lot of anger, which is understandable given her husband's disappearance. However, her anger is often misdirected towards her daughters and those around her. Terry's struggle to control her emotions is portrayed in a relatable and realistic way, and Joan Allen's performance is both emotive and nuanced.

Kevin Costner delivers a strong performance as Denny, a character who is trying to come to terms with his own failed relationships. His experience with women gives him a unique perspective on Terry's situation, and he offers her support and guidance without being overbearing.

Erika Christensen's portrayal of Emily, Denny's daughter, is also noteworthy. Emily is pregnant and struggles to come to terms with how her life is going to change. Christensen's performance highlights the vulnerability and strength of her character and provides a good contrast to Terry's daughters.

The Upside of Anger deals with some heavy themes, such as loss, betrayal, and family dynamics. However, it is also a movie that finds lightness in the midst of darkness. The movie's humor and warmth make it entertaining and engaging, even when exploring the darker aspects of life.

The film's soundtrack, which includes songs by Sarah McLachlan and Shawn Colvin, adds to the emotional impact of the story. The soundtrack features some excellent tracks that help to set the tone and mood of the film.

Overall, The Upside of Anger is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores complex themes and relationships in a relatable way. Joan Allen's performance is the highlight of the movie, but the strong supporting cast and well-written script make it a must-watch for fans of drama films. Whether you are looking for a movie that will make you laugh or cry, The Upside of Anger is definitely one to add to your watch list.

The Upside of Anger is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 63.