Another Happy Day

At the time of writing this review 308 users have given a weighted average vote of 4.9. Note that 92 voters gave a 10 and 39 voters gave a 1. That indicates Another Happy Day must be a controversial movie. Let me add that it is a controversial quality movie. You may or may not like the story, if you don't then view this movie as a demonstration of good acting. Ellen Barkin is superb. And then there is Ellen Burstyn, at first I did not recognize her ( excellent make-up job ) but Doris and Sarah Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream are both played by Ellen Burstyn. Demi Moore plays the part of a woman you should instantly hate and she does that very well. I simply forgot she was 'Demi Moore'. - I don't want to say much about the movie except this line, as I remember it. "I got upset because they called me autistic while I am only diagnosed as bipolar." - "Did they say that while you were there?" - "No, but I have exceptionally well hearing, I can hear frequencies as low as 20 Hertz."

I find it odd that nobody has mentioned how hilariously funny this movie is. I also find it odd how many people claim this is somehow unrealistic for the sheer amount of problems this family has.

Personally this seemed like exactly the family I was raised in. An extended family of, on the surface, squeaky clean socialites and all American families, while my mother was the person who had a history of therapy and being abused, and my siblings and I all had a number of mental health issues, which ended up causing every gathering to feel like us vs them where we seemed to be dismissed as the broken trouble makers who were too uppity and made too many ripples rather than pretend everything was fine and dandy when daddy broke mommy's nose etc.

I loved this movie and was amazed by how real it felt and how funny it was at the same time as being disturbing and full of neurosis.

I loved the dancing at the wedding, that's how I feel at those places. It's so weird to see it all without the music and with all the issues bubbling beneath the surface.

I was surprised to see this film didn't score that highly! I happened to catch this showing on SKY recently, and almost switched channels thinking it could be another slow-moving, half-hearted drama starting! I missed the very start and caught it at the bit where Ellen Barkin (Lynn) was driving with her two sons to the families house; to stay to attend her eldest son, Dylans wedding. I am so glad I continued to watch! I found this a very moving, poignant film in which I felt many people could deeply relate to. I found the characters very defined and very easy to like and sympathise with.

Not many films make me feel a lump in my throat and make me feel as though I am really there with them and feeling their grief, and day-to- day issues... this definitely did this for me! The strained relationship (amongst many within this family) between Doris and Lynn, was portrayed amazingly, as was the tension between Lynn and Patty (Demi Moore). Demi Moore (Patty)really played a harsh bitch and it was very raw! The most moving parts for me were, where Ben said he had overheard the family, and what they had said about his condition (I won't spoil that part, you will have to watch). Also the part where Lynn shouted abuse at her son, Elliott, calling him a M*****F*****! That was pretty harrowing and shocking, and some thing I could NEVER imagine, or contemplate saying to my son,whatever the circumstances! But it shows how far angst and despair can really push you, and how it can change ones self! That part really did make me choke! The scene where Alice enters the room at the dinner-party get together was very moving; and I felt her discomfort when walking in to the room full of family that all knew of her issues and past...she was very convincing to watch. Bonnie was my least favourite to watch, I felt she was a little over-powering, but then I guess there are people as outspoken and outrageous as she, within family's! But still, my partner and I found her quite out of place in this film. Not an actress I enjoy watching.

In my opinion, Ellen Barkin (Lynn) and Ezra Miller (Elliott) outshone all the rest of the cast, I felt they really stole the show! That isn't to say the rest weren't good - they really were! Ezra Miller is one to watch out for in the future, he was so absorbing to watch! Having seen him recently in "We need to talk about Kevin, he is, in my eyes, a real inspiration to up and coming young actors, and really intriguing to watch!

This is a movie that I am sure hits home to a lot of people, as I felt it was very real and very impacting! George Kennedy (Joe) certainly reflected the cruel harsh end to old-age. The moment where Doris opens her heart to her daughter Lynn over her fears of losing him, really hit me. This is areal tragedy for most couples to face in later life, and it was a very moving moment...which made you feel for Doris, despite her aloof mothering skills towards Lynn.

This is a film to make you feel the awkwardness and the anxiety's of peoples lives, with moments where you really do cringe. You really can feel the similarities of this families moments of pain and suffering within your own life. Yet this film also has many warming and loving moments throughout. A good master-piece of love, hurt and despair. I would love to see many more films directed in this way, as for someone as me, who holds a very short attention-span with the majority of films, this captivated me and had me on the edge of my seat throughout! Very gripping and a must-see! I applaud you Sam Levinson!

This is a wonderfully powerful film that manages to seriously portray family drama in a believable way - so much so that I could match situations in the film to similar situations that have happened at my own family gatherings. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, hence the lower rating, but for me it was a great snapshot into a family's life and all the issues that get dragged up when so many people come together with a lot of emotional baggage.

Others have mentioned the amazing acting performances and they really do bring the characters and thus the story to life. You can't help but feel for Ellen Barkin's Lynn as she's getting picked at from all sides, both from judgement and disdain from outside her immediate family and from within with Ezra Miller's Elliot acting up the entire time.

However, this film tends highly towards the drama end of comedy-drama, so much so that it contains very little comedy at all in my opinion so I feel the genre categorising is a little disingenuous.

I went into the Savannah Film Festival screening of this film not really expecting much. Of all the movies I saw at the film festival, this one resonated with me the most, and came closest to my heart.

Sam Levinson has woven a dark dramedy of epic proportions as Lynn (Oscar-worthy performance by Ellen Barkin) drives her two sons to her mother's house for the eldest son's wedding. Through it all the audience witnesses the public and private meltdowns and sentimentality's of this flawed, and deeply human family.

From Lynn's confrontation of her divorcé husband (Thomas Haden Church), to her drug-addled, caustic-mouthed son Elliot's (genius performance from Ezra Miller) flirtation with grandpa's meds, to catty quips from Lynn's sisters, past trauma, guilt, and resentment flow onto the screen. What rises from this fertile emotional landscape are frightening moments, and hysterically funny scenes. For the audience it's an event, but Lynn and her boys it's just 'Another Happy Day.'

Humor is the pallet cleanser for this hearty cinematic meal. The viewer fears for Elliot's life after he nearly OD's on the bathroom floor; then breaks into hysterics as Elliot tries to hide his blue lips with mom's rouge, the following morning. It's all so funny, and so smart. You will be cry as much from laughing as you will from the sorrowful scenes.

Performances cut deep with their stark realism. From Ellen Barkin's Lynn, Ezra Miller's Elliot, Ellen Burstyn's Doris, down to 14 year old Daniel Yelsky's Ben - someone is going to get an Oscar nomination here. And if not, then the critics aren't ready for Levinson's dark blend of laughs and tears.

Highly recommended: 9 out of 10.