What Happens Later

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.

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.

Meg Ryan and David Duchovny are both about 23 white lines deep, at the same play in New York. During intermission, they run into each other while smoking a cigarette. It's fate! They must make this movie together! They skip the rest of the play and have a snowball fight instead. This movie is the result.

Now, none of this probably happened. But, while watching the movie, you feel how this should have been a two-person play. The exchange of dialogue screams the blow is good. Both actors over worked and stretch face pallets make you wish you could have downloaded this in 480p. But you can't turn it off because you love the actors, and you give it 2 stars above what it deserves for the same reason.

I don't get the negative reviews. Did you even watch the movie? Have you never seen a Nora Ephron flic?

Geez!

Meg Ryan has directed a sweet and clever tete a tete movie filled with quick sparring and sparkling dialogue between herself and David Duchovny.

The storyline is completely implausible yet completely identifiable to anyone over 40 years old. The absolute empathetic story of their past together bubbles up and echos to many of our generations experiences. The way in which they reconnect and have had so much happen yet still have so many of their original issues is familiar and endearing.

It's a lovely movie. I also can envision it as a play!

Just watch it.

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.