What Happens Later

Greetings again from the darkness. Meg Ryan will forever be linked to her popular and beloved romantic comedies, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989) and SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1989). She wore the crown of "America's Sweetheart" for years, and then after years of hard work, she pumped the breaks on her acting career, resurfacing periodically for a TV or film role, often in support. In 2015 she took her first shot at directing with ITHACA, in which she also starred, and now after an 8 year big screen absence, she's back as writer-director-producer and star of a film that harkens back much closer to her rom-com roots.

A massive winter storm rolls in - a Bomb Cyclone with Snow Thunder. This grounds all planes at a regional airport (it was filmed at the airport near Bentonville, Arkansas) where ex-lovers Willa (Meg Ryan) and Bill (David Duchovny) bump into each other for the first time since they broke up twenty-five years ago. Initial awkward small talk soon transitions into 'large' talk, and the two fall into rhythmic banter befitting of two who were at one time very close. He's a stockbroker on the way to Austin to meet with his demanding, much younger boss, and she's a wellness practitioner on her way to Boston. For emphasis, he wears a dark business suit and necktie, while she sports clunky boots and bouncy hair.

What follows is a passive-aggressive twist on Richard Linklater's "Before" trilogy. In the industry, this is called a two-hander, as there are only two speaking parts - not counting the slyly intrusive airport PA announcer (credited as Hal Liggett?) - and the two characters carry on a conversation for most of the run time. Ms. Ryan wrote the script with Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn and based it on Dietz's play, "Shooting Star." It's a dialogue heavy approach designed to let us get to know the characters, but also allow Willa and Bill to catch up as they re-live moments from the past. Some of this is painful for them, and some of it provides previously lacking clarity. Memories and quirks pop up, and the manner in which they are addressed speaks volumes to how close these two once were. We learn their secrets as they each peel back layers.

Tom Petty's lyrics, "Most of the things I worry about never happen anyway" are utilized to effect here, and missed connections has multiple meanings. With Meg Ryan and David Duchovny past the 60 year mark, this isn't one of the cutesy rom-coms we've grown accustomed to with twenty-somethings. These are grown-ups who once shared dreams and are now taking stock of life and reality. Even the commentary on society is head-on rather than cleverly disguised as is common for this genre. Director Ryan and cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek insert more than a few falling snowflake shots, and the point is driven home about just how much has occurred since these two became a couple while attending the University of Wisconsin. As a writer, director, and actor, Meg Ryan certainly is in her wheelhouse here, and fittingly, she ends with a "For Nora" tribute to her late friend and mentor, Nora Ephron.

Opens in theaters on November 3, 2023.

This movie is advertised as a rom-com-it's not! Unfortunately, in What Happens Later, there was constant, tiresome dialogue, comprised of mostly sad revelations, sarcasm and arguing, and not much comedy.

Besides some comic relief, I think viewers were hoping for the answer to the question that the title suggests-What Happens Later? But that's not what we were given.

I felt like the writers weren't really sure where they were taking the characters or the plot. Too bad! The movie had a lot of potential, appealing characters, talented actors, and good acting. It was engaging at times, but overall, for me at least, it didn't deliver.

After many years, former lovers Willa and Bill get snowed in together, and are forced to look back, and communicate with one another.

I was genuinely white excited by this, the thought of David Duchovny and Meg Ryan uniting for a comedy, within ten or fifteen minutes, it became apparent that this wasn't going to be good.

Such a boring film, incredibly dialogue heavy, one where nothing actually happens, the pair literally sit there chatting with one another, sadly the dialogue is utterly drab and uninspiring. It's an incredibly boring film.

There is Also chemistry between Duchovny and Ryan, I'm a fan of his, not so much hers, I thought she was pretty wooden here, her acting was a bit sketchy.

If you're expecting a sweet, heart warming rom com for Christmas, my advice is watch something from your dvd collection, this was dire.

3/10.

The movie is mostly about two actors just talking. It doesn't have the strongest start, but it turns into a little magical gem of a film. It's not your typical cute romcom; you probably need to be more of a romance movie fan than a romcom enthusiast. It didn't make me feel too mushy inside, which is basically how I judge romance movies, but I still very much enjoyed it.

The writers were important for this. It's essentially watching two ex-married individuals, everything else very much in the background. Their interactions felt genuine, showing a sense of maturity. Wasn't loudly bitter and bickering. The airport voice added a humorous touch, slyly responding to their conversation. The Instacart line made me giggle, and the movie had many little quips like that.

The dialogue-heavy approach allows us to get to know the characters while also letting Willa and Bill catch up as they relive moments from their past, which is the plot. Some of it is painful, and some provides clarity. As the movie progresses, the chemistry between the two characters gets better, and the conversations become deeper. It even imparts some life lessons. I initially thought it might be a wannabe version of Richard Linklater's "Before" Trilogy movies or Chris Evan's "Before We Go," but it offers a sensible twist, portraying an older couple reminiscing about their younger selves. I enjoyed it, and it also reminded me of "Destination Wedding."

The writers did a pretty good job. Of course, it's not a film for everyone, as many may not want to spend over an hour watching just two people talk. The budget seems noticeably low, particularly in the outside views of the snowstorm, resembling flakes in a snow globe. But that doesn't detract from what the movie aimed to achieve.

The movie isn't entirely grounded in reality; it incorporates elements like the universe working in mysterious ways, adding a touch of magic. It brought back memories of when I got stuck at the airport in Germany, where they powered down everything at night; I didn't expect airports to do that either lol. The story has some twists and turns, but it's more about the chemistry between the two characters and their connections to other people in their lives.

This move was excellent for people who grew up with Meg being America's sweetheart. It is a romantic fantasy for grown people with nearly grown children. NOBODY has approached life with children who are on the cusp of making their own defining life choices and not looked back at their own formative years and ask "what if?" It isn't a regret. It's just another part of growing as a human being and this movie captures it in a fun and beautiful way. It's not life changing stuff, it's just growing and empathizing with someone else's different experience than your's was. Particularly someone who was close to you and then drifted away. I can't even tell you how many people in my past I wish I could have an encounter like this. Trust me. If you're Genx and are a parent, this is a must see.

Long story short, this is entertainment for adults in a world run by children.