The Upside of Anger

Name: The Upside of Anger
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: March 11, 2005
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Alicia Witt, Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Joan Allen, Keri Russell

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 71 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 71 Ratings

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The Upside Of Anger

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: March 11, 2005 | R

Starring: Alicia Witt, Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Joan Allen, Keri Russell, Kevin Costner

Summary: Terry Wolfmeyer (Allen) is a suburban wife and mother whose life takes an unusual turn when her husband unexpectedly disappears. Struggling to deal with his sudden absence, Terry finds herself increasingly at odds with her four headstrong daughters and regularly drowning her anger in alcohol, until she develops an offbeat relationship withTerry Wolfmeyer (Allen) is a suburban wife and mother whose life takes an unusual turn when her husband unexpectedly disappears. Struggling to deal with his sudden absence, Terry finds herself increasingly at odds with her four headstrong daughters and regularly drowning her anger in alcohol, until she develops an offbeat relationship with her next-door neighbor, Denny (Costner). (New Line Cinema)… Expand

Director: Mike Binder

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

I liked these characters precisely because they were not designed to be likable -- or, more precisely, because they were likable in spite of being exasperating, unorganized, self-destructive and impervious to good advice. Read full review

Michael Sragow

Original, unfailingly entertaining marital-breakup movie. Read full review

Carina Chocano

A squarely suburban movie with a distinctly bourgeois-shaped window on the world, but it's genuine and exceptionally well observed. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

The film never earns the irony of the title or offers anything profound in its observations of fractured family dynamics in an atmosphere of lingering resentment, but Allen and Costner enrich and elevate the film and give the growth of their characters a hard-earned gravitas. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Binder has written himself a scene-stealing supporting role as Shep, sleazeball producer. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

The two leading actors in The Upside of Anger are so good that their performances, even more than the story they are in, keep us interested. Read full review

Jessica Winter

The film has exhausted itself with fits of glib hysteria long before its truly stupefying final twist, a stunning betrayal of audience trust. Read full review

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User Reviews

ElaineA.

Jun 18, 2007

A selfless performance by Kevin Costner, showing what a versatile actor he is. Wonderful as the stoned has-been baseball player, really funny, tender and warm. A beautifully understated role. Better than Robert De Niro.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

ScottS.

Oct 23, 2005

I had heard rumors that The Upside of Anger was an excellent film, but I had also seen some bad reviews and my wife generally hates Kevin Costner. I never realized what incredible chemistry Allen and Costner could have onscreen. And Keri Russell is a real cutie. I think the plot and the I had heard rumors that The Upside of Anger was an excellent film, but I had also seen some bad reviews and my wife generally hates Kevin Costner. I never realized what incredible chemistry Allen and Costner could have onscreen. And Keri Russell is a real cutie. I think the plot and the writing of this film are dangerously close to Movie of the Week caliber, but the acting and the shocking twist at the end make this worth seeing. I also thought there was some depth to the writing: anger is not always appropriate but you can't deny how it changes people permanently. I rented this movie on Pay Per View and am watching it again before my 24 hours are up. If you check out this movie, enjoy the manic frenzy of Joan Allen chewing up this role and giving it an Oscar-worthy effort. And revel in having Kevin Costner back again as the friendly, quirky, observant jokester with a drink in his hand and a witty comeback on his lips.… Expand