Life During Wartime (2009)

Friends, family, and lovers struggle to find love, forgiveness, and meaning in an almost war-torn world riddled with comedy and pathos.

Director:

Todd Solondz

Writer:

Todd Solondz

Stars:

Shirley Henderson, Allison Janney, Ally Sheedy

3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley Henderson	...	Joy
Michael Kenneth Williams	...	Allen
Roslyn Ruff	...	Waitress
Allison Janney	...	Trish
Michael Lerner	...	Harvey
Dylan Riley Snyder	...	Timmy
Ciarán Hinds	...	Bill
Renée Taylor	...	Mona
Rebecca Chiles	...	Hostess
Paul Reubens	...	Andy
Emma Hinz	...	Chloe
Charlotte Rampling	...	Jacqueline
Ally Sheedy	...	Helen
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Wanda (as Gaby Hoffman)
Rich Pecci	...	Mark

Storyline

Separated from her incarcerated husband Bill (Hinds), Trish (Janney) is about to be married again. Bill is a pedophile, so Trish couldn't be more excited to have Harvey (Lerner), a "normal" father figure for her two sons. But when Bill is released from prison and the boys finally meet their future stepdad, the family is forced to decide whether to forgive or to forget. Trish's sister, the virginal, angelic Joy (Henderson), is also haunted by ghosts of lovers past. On leave from her degenerate husband, Allen (Williams), and her job at a New Jersey correctional facility, Joy unwittingly leaves behind a trail of shame and exposed secrets wherever she goes. In one of the film's most stylized sequences, the image of Joy walking the dark streets of Miami in her nightgown maintains her innocence against a backdrop of self-affliction and desire.

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | pedophile | new jersey | ghost | forgiveness | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, brief nudity, and language including some disturbing dialogue

Did You Know?

Trivia

A sequel to Todd Solondz's movie Happiness (1998), but with entirely re-cast characters.

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Quotes

Mark Wiener: Sure. Forgive and forget. But it's like freedom and democracy. In the end, China will take over, and none of this will matter.

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Connections

References Palindromes (2004)

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Soundtracks

Lute Concerto in D Major. RV93: II. Largo
(Solo Trans. G. García for guitar)
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Gerald Garcia

User Reviews

Reflections on "Happiness"

Todd Solondz is unique and so are his films. He forces you to look through an angle that we systematically ignore. There is an element of tenderness that permeates the darkest of corners and compassion emerges, limpid, clear even rational. This is, if possible, a sequel to his masterful "Happiness" The pain is still palpable but there is a hint of hope, China or not China. "I don't care about freedom or democracy, I care about my dad" Yes, I hear you kid. In the midst of it all, I hear you. Added bonuses: Cieran Hids as a scary, powerful presence. Allison Janney, one of the best American actresses working today. Charlotte Rampling makes an appearance as a sort of escapee from an erotic nightmare and don't you dare ignore or let this film pass you by. Todd Solondz is a great, startling American poet.

Details

Official Sites:

Werc Werk Works

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 2010 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Untitled Todd Solondz Project

Filming Locations:

Puerto Rico

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,507, 25 July 2010

Gross USA:

$281,447

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$807,162

Company Credits

Production Co:

Werc Werk Works

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1