Certain films like "The Upside of Anger" resonate with IMDb contributors. In fact, the only reason we watched it was because of a kind friend's insistence in lending us a copy of the DVD. Mike Binder's film is not one of the worst things around, but if one really examines the basic premise about the head of the family's disappearance and never contacting his family in three years, it is just absurd.
What could have been so bad between Terry and her husband? True, he might have found another woman in his work place, which usually is the case, but to go away without ever contacting, at least, his daughters, doesn't make a bit of sense. Then again, what if he might have suffered an accident, or foul play was involved, why not go to the local police? These things are not explained in a movie that concentrates in how Terry, the wife, is left behind to drown herself in self pity and the vodka she seems to enjoy. We only see Terry getting on the phone to try to contact her former husband in Sweden, but she never completes the call.
The only valid excuse for watching this film is Joan Allen. But haven't we seen her before do other angry wives? While basically most of the comments are favorable for the film and her acting, this is a movie that doesn't deal with reality. The ending of the film proves how this family neglects to deal with it, especially Terry, who should have known better, but doesn't act on what should have been her primary concern about getting to the bottom of why the absent man leaves home without a trace.
The film is a variation of those Lifetime movies based on a supposedly true stories and targeted for women. Kevin Costner, who some people have praised to the high heavens is aging badly, as shown here and in "Rumor has it".
The movie defies the laws of credulity.
What could have been so bad between Terry and her husband? True, he might have found another woman in his work place, which usually is the case, but to go away without ever contacting, at least, his daughters, doesn't make a bit of sense. Then again, what if he might have suffered an accident, or foul play was involved, why not go to the local police? These things are not explained in a movie that concentrates in how Terry, the wife, is left behind to drown herself in self pity and the vodka she seems to enjoy. We only see Terry getting on the phone to try to contact her former husband in Sweden, but she never completes the call.
The only valid excuse for watching this film is Joan Allen. But haven't we seen her before do other angry wives? While basically most of the comments are favorable for the film and her acting, this is a movie that doesn't deal with reality. The ending of the film proves how this family neglects to deal with it, especially Terry, who should have known better, but doesn't act on what should have been her primary concern about getting to the bottom of why the absent man leaves home without a trace.
The film is a variation of those Lifetime movies based on a supposedly true stories and targeted for women. Kevin Costner, who some people have praised to the high heavens is aging badly, as shown here and in "Rumor has it".
The movie defies the laws of credulity.