The Upside of Anger (2005)
Adult themes, Sexual references, Moderate coarse language
in life, sometimes the very things that pull us apart can also bring us back together. Joan Allen and Kevin Costner lead a stellar ensemble cast in the moving story of a bright, witty suburban housewife (Allen) whose world comes crashing down when her husband unexpectedly disappears. Left to raise four headstrong daughters (Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell and Alicia Witt), Terry's already hectic life turns totally chaotic when she falls for Denny (Costner), a former baseball star-turned-local DJ. Now it's the girls who are forced to deal with their mom's romantic dilemmas - along with their own - in this poignant yet wickedly humorous family drama.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 118mins |
| Origin: | GERMANY |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (91)
91 Member
Reviews
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It was a pretty ordinary story line
chookey
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Realized I had seen it and enjoyed it. Would recomment.
David Williams
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Entertaining,with believable characters and enjoyable story.
Robyn
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A romance that was a bit different, easy to watch and the acting was good.
An intertaining movie
Julie
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It was "Sticking" in places and I was so bored with it, didn't watch it!
Wendy
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This movie was not bad, although a little slow in parts.
Mamaluchka
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Joan Allan is one of those infuriating characters which jealous rage produces. She certainly engages her audience in emotions almost as contradictory as her own. That speaks of good acting and a good script. Kevin's role is a little shallow. I thought the plot was brilliant! It leaves you a little dumbfounded...
Me
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Horribly slow and boring. A waste of time.
Lynne H
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This movie is apalling. It is like a made for TV american movie - to be watched in the daytime when sick or for housewives. There is no plot - Nothing happens - it is depressing. it says it is a comedy drama - there is NO comedy at all. as someone else says, I would like my evening back - and wish I didn't subject the family to it.
Timbo
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I failed to see any upside to this movie... just plenty of anger. Please sir... can I have my evening back?
Jenny
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Enjoyed the movie
Julia
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Enjoyable movie. Having come from a large family myself and going through our parents breakup, I could relate to the movie's characters emotions
ashmalog
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was ok but not as good as the reviews say it is. no real storyline to it.
Angela E.
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A solid comedy drama. While it has some moments of thinness, it's overall well written and acted, with a twist you don't see coming. 3 1/2 stars
Carolyn
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Iwhat i loved about this movie was it didn't have the hype instead it was like looking in the window on the lives of everyday people when things go belly up.
Matthew B.
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I struggled at the start with this one, almost turning it off about fifteen minutes in. I just wasn't in the mood for alcoholics. But, I stayed with it. And I wasn't too sure what the film was trying to be, either black comedy or family drama. I love Joan Allen, so she makes the film easy to watch, even if it's hard to sympathise with her character. Kevin Costner, I could leave behind. The girls, as Allen's daughters, are well acted but I was left wanting more of them in the film and less of their miserable mother. I have to say, I did work out the ending about half way through. And the dinner with Shep caught me unawares - I had to go back and watch it again.
Liana D.
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A very real look at life, relationships, what drives our thoughts and emotions and the way we perceive the world we live in. Delivered from many different angles - drama, comedy, romance. Extremely well acted. Stella performance by Joan Allen.
Alex H.
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Great interplay between three attractive girls and her stern, hard mother whos husband deserted her - or so it seemes. Good story line and acting.
Antonia M.
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I didnt realise I had already seen this film until I was about 10 minutes in. I guess it is a movie that isnt about hype or vaniety, it just is. It uncovers a little bit of human nature, you enjoy it while you watch it and then you forget about it. I would recommend it but it is on the slow side.
Sandy J.
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good flick worth watching. Some great acting and real emotions. It's easy to see how humans can be so prone to wrong assumptions.
Maria C.
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Kevin Costner is ecellent, but the movie is only OK
stimpy
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The message of the film is one we all too easily forget, and although the movie was a touch slow, for anyone in mid life, I think this film offers a lot.
Craig T.
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Great film, loved the pervy guy who happened to be the director. Not bad for a girly film.
Anne H.
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Niside O.
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P. C.
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Kerrie D.
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Slow start. Ending not quite as expected and moral of story not really where expected it to be
Patricia B.
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This is quite interesting and different. Most enjoyable.
Elizabeth J.
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Janice A.
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Very different friom what I expected but enjoyed it.
gol
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Slow moving pace, sound acting detailed script, quality director, story of a lonely man and an angry woman & how they get to need each other while dealing with the upbringing of 4 teenager girls. Held your interest even though it was a bit slow.
Michael & Susan K.
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Really good enjoyable movie!
Michael & Susan K.
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Brilliant! We 'sat on' this DVD for three weeks, didn't think we'd like it, but finished up watching it and then going back and watching half of it again. The humour, the pathos, everything was spot on! A great movie which I could watch again today [only returned it yesterday!]. Wish there were more movies like this!
Kayla-Sky F.
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great movie i wached it twice
Gavin M.
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The acting was excellent; Emotions faithfully portrayed. The script a little obscure and holey; the outcome surprising.
Elizabeth D.
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Gretchen A.
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Explores the corrosive action of anger on family relationships and shows how an un-corroborated "cause" can have drastic and long-lasting effects. Make sure you know ALL the facts before you start "blaming". But love within a family can conquer anger's damage - a "feel-good" movie!
Col D.
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Truddy C.
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waste of time
Jenny T.
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chicken
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what a wonderful cast of characters and actors. the story was realistic and the characters were well portrayed - even if you didn't like some of them!
Lehane D.
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I did not find this movie good itwas so stupid i didnt watch the last 45 mimutesof it bad acting from a lot.
Margaret U.
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It is depressing but I enjoyed it.
Ironside L.
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Kevin Costner as a larrikin. Twists and turns of life. Family emotions, hurt feelings and fun. Entertaining - good film.
Joyce R.
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Too angry, sad, depressing. Not uplifting or enlightening at all.
Kathryn J.
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Paul L.
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Glenda D.
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Karen K.
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Interesting film about family relationships when a marraige breaks down, and the anger felt by the wife and the inmpact this had on her relationship with her daughters.
lynnie
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It was out of boredom that I continued watching this film but the twist at the end made it worthwhile. A movie about a women scorned and how she let it affect her relationship with her daughters and the people around her.
Peter S.
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Lots of good actors and production demonstrating some faily awful behaviour. A bit of a "how not to..." guide.
Gary M.
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Quite a departure from Costner's usual 'hero' type roles. A little repetitive in parts, but keeps the interest. a nice twist at the end.
Gary M.
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Quite a departure from Costner's usual 'hero' type roles. A little repetitive in parts, but keeps the interest. a nice twist at the end.
Anna K.
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Emotional insite into a women's journey after being left by her husband. Brilliant
Kathy W.
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A bit slow and drawn out, but a good story line
Shirley G.
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Enjoyed it, but the CD kept stalling near the end - last 45 mins or so - that spoilt it a bit.
Brian G.
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Another American film that needed subtitles in English! The plot was an interesting concept but it did go on. And on. Rather dreary too. The promo said "comedy and drama" but I must have blinked. Brian walked off.
Fleece G.
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Keeps you watching very unexpected twist.
Michael B.
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Cindy H.
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Good - it was nice to watch on a rainy SUnday afternoon with the fire going! GOod performances all round...
Zainab Z.
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Sarah C.
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Jeff D.
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This movie is a nice compare/contrast with Tears of Endearment, and holds itself up quite well.
Robyn K.
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Marnie
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I really enjoyed this movie. It explores relationships, flawed as they may be, with humour and sensitivity, and makes you realise that anger can be a futile emotion, and rarely has an upside.
Marian D.
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Kirstie L.
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Rubbish.
Helen M.
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Adam B.
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Ana C.
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This story tells the tale of a woman who appears to have been abandoned by her husband and is left with 3 almost grownup daughters who seem to have little or no compassion for their mother’s emotional feelings. The introduction of the drunk next door is met with little or no resistance with him taking up a relationship with their mother. This story truly explores the uneasy relation between daughters and their mothers and the loyalty battle between children and their respective parents. While Kevin Costner’s character is truly unlovable at the beginning of the movie, you grow closer to his point of view towards the end of the movie. Joan Allen as always, plays her role beautifully and is undoubtedly one Hollywood's little gems in the acting arena. A good flim for grown up daughters to see.
Matthew R.
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Dreadful. Didn't get much past halfway. Costner should be ashamed at himself - hope he didn;t take any wages for this one.
Vivian P.
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Enjoyed it.
Lee D.
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Some good acting, but some things about this movie were just annoying. Why do American movies so often lack subtlety? The soup slurping scene was so exaggerated it was just plain annoying. I'd heard good reviews of this, but it wasn't my kind of movie. I didn't watch the last half hour, just didn't care enough
Meg H.
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Catherine M.
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Carlie
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Slightly humurous... save for a rainy day!
ADV
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This is a really easy movie to enjoy. It takes you through the emotional feelings of abandonment, anxiety, frustration, helplessness and real life situations with a lightness that will enhance your senses. It also has you guessing with an unexpected ending. Also a good casting. Recommended!!!
Maxine G.
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Nicole G.
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John H.
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Enjoyed this one. A family not dealing with grief very well is inadvertantly helped by a neighbour.
Sherry E.
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Rudolf B.
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Loved it from start to finish.
Paul D.
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Susan T.
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Predictable and silly, and too long. The mother was totally annoying. Didn't find anything to laugh at either.
Jacqueline H.
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couldnt watch it unfortunately, did not have subtitles
Janiece S.
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Good movie, great twist at the end.
Greg M.
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well worth watching
Carrie M.
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Not too confident at the start but by the end of this film I was loving it. Not a great fan of Joan Allen but she is brilliant.
Robyn M.
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Great movie.
Firdaus E.
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not the typical american storyline, which was good! good script storyline.
Helen M.
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