What Happened Was...

Jackie is an executive assistant at a large law firm in New York. One night, she invites Michael- a coworker- for dinner at her apartment. Both of them are nervous, having never been alone together. As the night unfolds and the drinks flow, their conversation turns from awkward small talk to more important issues. Michael is trying to write a book- and has been for 15 years- about the goings on inside the firm. He is something of a pedant, though Jackie has feelings for him. Whether they are reciprocated or not remains to be seen in Tom Noonan's 'What Happened Was...'

A darkly comic, fascinating character study, 'What Happened Was...' is based on Noonan's play of the same name, and is a tense and profound examination of the lives of two lonely people. Essentially a filmed conversation- like 'My Dinner with Andre'- the movie boasts excellent, believable dialogue that ebbs and flows like it would in real life. Never for a moment does one feel as if the proceedings are scripted or staged, and watching Jackie and Michael really get to know each other makes one feel like a voyeur spying on a real conversation.

Noonan's characters are flawed, strange and startlingly realistic. Over the course of their evening together, we learn about Jackie and Michael's lives and desires, and how each of them manages to face a world every day that they find cold and cruel. Unlike 'My Dinner with Andre', which was centred on two rather pretentious and garrulous people, the conversation between Jackie and Michael isn't a constant stream; the film isn't a sparring match between witty monologists. It is a bleak and poignant story of two lonely souls trying to connect, with moments of dark humour and unexpected revelations. 'What Happened Was...' won the Grand Jury Prize and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival; and rightly so, as it is gripping from start to finish.

Joe De Salvo's cinematography is minimalistic and realistic, as is Andras Kanegson's set decoration and Daniel Ouellette's production design; reflecting the somewhat claustrophobic, intimate nature of Noonan's narrative. The picture was shot in one location, Jackie's apartment, which is decorated simply with objects that reveal aspects of her personality and background. De Salvo makes use of subtle and unobtrusive camera angles, avoiding flashy or dramatic shots which would distract from the dialogue and the actors' understated performances. Minimalist and striking, 'What Happened Was...' contains memorable, muted visuals that enhance the story.

'What Happened Was...' stars Karen Sillas as Jackie and Tom Noonan as Michael, both delivering power-house performances full of subtlety and nuance. They manage to create a believable and complex relationship, balancing moments of tension with humour and attraction with repulsion. Furthermore, they handle the challenges of performing a script based on a play, with a few long, intricate monologues each, without losing the attention or the interest of the audience. Both display the insecurities of their characters marvellously, never resorting to theatrics or going over the top, and share a seemingly genuine chemistry. Understated and powerful; Sillas and Noonan's performances are not easily forgotten.

As is the case with the film as a whole: it is hard to forget. 'What Happened Was...' is a fantastic, believable character study about two profoundly realistic characters that enchants and entertains. Full of dark humour and genuine human drama, the movie showcases Noonan's remarkable abilities as a writer, director, editor and actor. Karen Sillas proves to be his equal, delivering a subtle performance of style and wit, and the muted visuals are striking. In short, Tom Noonan's 'What Happened Was...' really is a night to remember.

A daring movie with few equals: a journey into the heart of darkness of the date from hell. Two seemingly quiet, reserved folks teeming with disturbing secrets and half-truths reveal themselves to us and each other in an increasingly frightening crescendo. Deception, life, the skeletons of a nightmare closet. Gripping, a bit over-long, perhaps, but well worth the time. As of this writing I have rented and seen the film 4 times and each time I've learned something about myself, about my world and about vanity, trauma and deception.

Tom Noonan and Karen Sillas portray a disaffected NYC couple- co-workers who are now on a dinner date.

Tom Noonan is somewhat menacing and unpredictable. Interesting presence. (You may recall him from "Manhunter"). Basically, the film develops as the two discuss their jobs(which they hate) but they have other projects in the works, Sillas published a children's book.

Tom Noonan portrays an Ivy League graduate, working as a paralegal who is both amused and disgusted by the attorneys at the firm. He is defensive about why he works at said firm, and Sillas finds him interesting, saying he must have some grand plan to get revenge on the attorneys at the firm.

The only somewhat nebulous plot point is where Sillas reads the "children's book" she has written, which turns out to be quite violent. I will not spoil it for those who have not yet seen this movie, but suffice it to say, it is very strange.

All in all an entertaining film, about alienation and dating in NYC, which has a creative distinction- it is one film in the past ten years that does NOT try to imitate Woody Allen!. 8/10

I watched this movie the other night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, you must be in the proper mood to enjoy a movie such as this. This movie centers around 2 lonely characters, man and woman, on a 'first' date at the woman's apartment. This movie is not too funny nor is it fast paced. The movie simply tries to flesh out each person's character for 90 minutes. This movie also led to some candid discussion between my fiancé and I, especially about the man's 'troubles' at the end of the film. We also discussed if there would be a 'second' date between them. The movie is steeped in realism and is shot very well. Worth a look if you're in the proper mood for a slow but interesting, character development story. 6 out of 10.

Tom Noonan's excellent play describes two lonely, damaged people trying to connect, and in the process dark secrets emerge. The only hope for these people is that however difficult, by confronting the demons their respective pasts hold for them, a chance of an honest relationship becomes possible. Kudos to Noonan for keeping the delicious tension new relationships have by his treatment of the ending.

Stay with it. It's worth the time.