The Upside of Anger (DVD, 2005)

This is such a well written and beautifully acted movie. Mike Binder who wrote and directed, is best known for the dreadful "Mind of the Married Man." In this one he pulls off a bases loaded home run.

He wrote the lead role of Terry Wolfmeyer for Joan Allen and it shows. She puts the character on and it fits like a glove. We learn that Terry's husband and father of her four girls, has up and left her, possibly with his Swedish secretary. Her youngest daughter, Popeye (I'm hoping it's a nickname, it was never explained), tells us that Terry was the sweetest person imaginable until this happened, and then she got angry, good and angry.

And that's how the story begins, Terry reeling in shock and anger. She is drinking too much and barely functional. Neighbor Denny (Kevin Costner) comes over to discuss a business deal with her husband and discovers he's gone for good. He invites himself in and they become drinking buddies.

Kevin Costner seems to be a natural to play atheletes. Here he is a retired baseball player who makes a living doing promotions and signing baseballs (he charges for them). He is also the host of a local radio show which in a fit of contradictoriness he refuses to discuss baseball. And he drinks, a lot. Costner can pull off loopy, casual charm like no one else and his portrayal of Denny is both complex and lovable.

Terry is very angry and Joan Allen does it to perfection. She can fix the object of her ire with a look of stony fury that is hilarious and scary. Her reaction when she finds one of her daughters in a relationship with a man she despises is priceless. She drifts into a relationship with Denny that leaves him often on the pointy end of her emotional ups and downs. He's pretty understanding, but it also has it's limits. Terry is just so mad she can't seem to find a way around it.

She also damages the relationship with her girls. They are hurting from their father's defection and dealing with this touchy, sarcastic, unpredictable new mother is hard. They try to understand, but feel torn and a little guilty because they aren't as angry at him as she is.

It could have been a movie that strictly deals with Terry's arc in this situation, but it isn't. While the initial story is good on its own, it turns around and takes on another level. It has a wonderful conclusion that makes it richer, deeper, and much more meaningful. You look more carefully at the sources of your own anger and realize what a waste it is.

What isn't a waste is getting this DVD. You'll watch it more than once and talk to your friends and family about it.

a Wonderful cast attacks a serious subject about Human nature and the different emotions we use to cope with life and gives us a story with a perfect balance of humore and drama.It is a look into anger and repression and might seem a bit tame to people who are used to typical screen anger with a bite but every story has it's audience and less is very often more. Kevin Costner's portrayal of a retired Major League Baseball player who struggles to understand the consequences of fleeting fame on all facets of his life is filled with intnsity and passion. Does playing such a role begin with an actors look into their own relationship with celebrity? whatever the answer he gives a performance that I really was impressed with. Mike Binder wrote and directed a wonderful film about middle class emotions and got the best players to make his point. A poetic summing up of the nature of anger brings a wonderful "it's only a movie" happy ending to the film and allows viewers to perhaps associate so many moments of the film to their own life. You know...It seems like Mile Binder sleeps easier than Woody Allen.
I hope you take the time to see this film and enjoy it as much as I did.

I love this film because of it's raw honesty. I decided to buy it because I watched it on television once and couldn't look away. Now I own it and I still shudder and laugh at the same points in the film. Absolutely beautiful. I recommend it to anyone who needs to vent and feel good.

This movie I only got because it was previously viewed and marked down to $1.49 the first day FYE was open and for that price, a lot of movies had me curious. Hence why some appear here.

This movie stars Kevin Costner and Joan Allen. Kevin Costner is an ex-baseball player (SURPRISE!!) and Joan Allen is a mother of four daughters (Erika Christensen, Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, and Evan Rachel Wood) and is very pissed off because her husband ran away with a secretary or something to Sweden. She spends the whole movie being mad and the majority of it drinking and barely listens to her daughters dreams and wishes. She gets involved with Costner first as a drinking buddy and then a relationship. His only glory moments are firing his sleazeball producing buddy and getting mad at Joan Allen and kicking a door down. Otherwise this is a big movie of her being mad and no one getting her and her not getting anyone. The four daughters are not noteworthy either. They bitch and moan and turn on her when their dad is the one they should be frustrated with. The whole thing is just very bland. The plotlines aren't enough to keep you interested. I watched the whole thing and the only part I really liked was completely unprompted with no premise in the film. She was staring at the sleazeball guy slurping his soup and suddenly his head explodes and the blood gets all over everyone and she smiles and everyone keeps eating. Of course turns out to be a daydream, but since there are no others in the entire movie, just feels weird to jump out to the feel of the film for a moment to have a laugh. It WAS funny but didn't belong in the movie either. If you like mushy movies about women and their feelings and/or are a mother or daughter, you might like this film. It wasn't enough for my taste. It gets a C-. It tried, but really didn't do anything for me.

This movie was different to say the least. It is a drama about relationships, heartbreak, and everything in between but there is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. I think the older you are, the more you might appreciate this movie.

I came across this movie in a junk shop and said what the heck, for 2 bucks.

What a surprise. This is a really good film. I was engrossed from beginning to end. I've actually found myself watching it a couple of times since the first time. The characters are very likable and real, I understand the anger, and quirky it may be at times, the conversation is witty and the plot is entertaining. It worth a good watch or two.. I've added it to my regulars in rotation. Yes I'm a movie addict.

Blessings, Max Rainet.

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This movie has some twists that I couldn't figure out until the movie wanted me too. I am the type that can go along with the movie unless it is super boring which this is not. I liked it because of the raw human emotion exposed through one person missing from the scene. How that can invoke all anger. Get the movie & see for yourself. Well worth it.

Just when it looks like another "chick flick" romance, this movie shows depth, plot, and believability. Kevin Costner is a strong, yet real with flaws male character that gets involved with a household of women living with wide-open windows and doors to their hearts. The twist will surprise you!

I love this movie! Joan Allen & Kevin Costner play excellent roles, that totally involve you in their lives! I'll watch it again & again! I love the scene, toward the end, where she moves closer to him in bed!

I really like the acting in this movie, and the story kept flooding me with different emotions from start to finish. A totally success. Kevin Costner, Joan Allen were Fantastic to say the least. And they were only a portion of the great acting. I had previously seen the movie, and wanted it in my collection of what I consider to be movies worth owning.

I saw this movie on cable and totally enjoyed it. It is great to have it on DVD so that I can watch anytime. Thank you!

One of the best films of 2005! Kevin Costner, Joan Allen, and cast deliver in this witty, funny, touching drama about a woman adjusting to loss, and how it affects those in her family.

I bought this movie because I love Kevin Costner. And what a movie. Great movie.
Here again is another steal your heart romance movie. Soap Opera take off story line. A chick flick with 2 great Men actors.

You have to watch it in order to understand this is a great movie.

Kittykat5851

The dvd came in great shape. It played great.I would buy off this seller anytime. would recomend to other buyers. It came in a timely manner.

I must admit, I first watched the movie because Kevin Costner starred in it. I'm a big fan, I love his acting style and he's extremely easy on the eyes ;) This movie definitely didn't disappoint! Joan Allen was a perfect fit for the character she played. The movie had elements of dry humor, and that's exactly my cup of tea. Even though seemingly both of the main actors were cast in roles that they had both done before (Kevin Costner being a former sports star, and Joan Allen a housewife), the movie took unexpected twists and turns every time you'd think that it was getting predictable. Overall, I rate it two thumbs up! Enjoy!

I saw the beginning of the movie on tv on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The movie got my attention at the beginning but alas we had a tunder storm and our dish went out. I HAD to see the rest of the movie so I purchased it. IT WAS GREAT! I didn't understand the R rating when it was on the telly; but after aquiring the dvd it was certainly clear. The language was horrid. But I am an adult so I could handle this. The ending was fantastic and since I have a lot or anger I highly recommend this to all angry females.

this is a movie about life, the ups and downs..kevin costner is excellent, also, Joan allen, plays an excellent part

This show will make you laugh and cry at the same time..........It's a real hit home kinda movie.......1 that you can watch over and aover again.

I loved the story line.Outstanding movie.The story keap me interested all the way.I like Kevin Kostner.I bought this dvd as a gift.

I would definitly buy from this seller again. Great purchase, good shape, great price, and arrived in a timely fashion.

Thanks for the product!

Bought for my wife for Christmas. This is the first movie in our ten years together that she has just had to own.