The Upside of Anger (2005)

Director:

Mike Binder

Writer (WGA):

Mike Binder (written by)

Release Date:

1 April 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Sometimes what tears us apart helps us put it back together

Plot:

When her husband unexpectedly disappears, a sharp-witted suburban wife and her daughters juggle their mom's romantic dilemmas and family dynamics.

Plot Keywords:

Neighbor | Ulcer | Supermarket | Wedding | Detroit Michigan

Awards:

5 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Joan Allen	...	Terry Ann Wolfmeyer
Kevin Costner	...	Denny Davies
Erika Christensen	...	Andy Wolfmeyer
Keri Russell	...	Emily Wolfmeyer
Alicia Witt	...	Hadley Wolfmeyer
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Lavender 'Popeye' Wolfmeyer
Mike Binder	...	Adam 'Shep' Goodman
Tom Harper	...	David Junior
Dane Christensen	...	Gorden Reiner
Danny Webb	...	Grey Wolfmeyer
Magdalena Manville	...	Darlene
Suzanne Bertish	...	Gina
David Firth	...	David Senior
Rod Woodruff	...	Dean Reiner (as Roderick P. Woodruff)
Stephen Greif	...	Emily's Doctor

Also Known As:

An deiner Schulter (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexual situations, brief comic violence and some drug use.

Runtime:

USA:118 min

Country:

USA | Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Sweden:7 | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | France:U | Belgium:KT | Argentina:13 | Ireland:15A | Iceland:12 | UK:15 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | USA:R | Germany:12 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-11

Filming Locations:

Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Company:

Media 8 Entertainment

Trivia:

Binder approached singer-turned-actress Mandy Moore to play the youngest of the daughters but she backed out because she wanted to do publicity for an upcoming album.

Goofs:

Continuity: Rearview Mirror is missing in a scene in her car.

Quotes:

Terry Wolfmeyer: Your father is a small man. A *very* small man!
Hadley Wolfmeyer: I hope you're not referring to his genitals because that would just be gross.
Lavender "Popeye" Wolfmeyer: Aww, dude, I was about to eat a string bean!

Movie Connections:

Features "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000)

Soundtrack:

If I Fall in Love with You

Great story, strong actors

The Upside of Anger was a wonderfully written script. The perfect blend of humor and sadness, consistent in real life. Each character was developed uniquely, with many different layers. Each character was matched by strong up and coming and veteran actors. Joan Allen as usual is a gem and proves that mainstream Hollywood is missing one of the great female leads of our time. Kevin Costner sticks out and steals the show. He's quirky but real and perfectly lovable. All the girls, although they did not get enough screen time, were capable, exceptional, actors with a bright future in front of them all. Especially the youngest daughter played by Evan Rachel Wood. This is a rare comedy that must be seen. Although the average American may find it slow with it's absence of car chases and sword fights, one can only hope that this movie will find it's audience and grow enough to fall into the laps of the average and broaden their minds.