This is a character-driven comedy/drama starring Joan Allen and Kevin Costner. The "Anger" in the title is there for a reason. Joan's anger begins with the sudden disappearance of her husband. She has reason to believe that he has run off with a younger woman, leaving her to fend for herself and her four grown daughters ( played by Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell and Alicia Witt). Her anger spills over into her relationship with her daughters, and she turns to the bottle in a big way, hoping this will drown her frustration and anger.
Then along comes Costner, a retired baseball pro who eeks out a living by playing radio talk show host and by selling autographed baseballs. He lives by himself, drinks too much and is an outright slob. He sort of forces way into a relationship with Joan and over time her relationship with her daughters improves and she even begins to believe there is hope for her to find happiness with Costner. Then the past re-emerges to change things.
The beginning of the movie sets you up for this, but to be honest, I was really surprised by this wrinkle that leads to the conclusion.
Joan Allen's acting is nothing short of fantastic. I am a hardcore Kevin Costner fan, but I'd have to admit that his performance here is the best thing he's done in quite some time. The story is well scripted and the film is well directed. At just under 2 hours, it is a bit long and some may find it drags in places, but I felt every minute was necessary to properly develop the characters.
Some nice music on the soundtrack and the New Line transfers is excellent.
This is one I will watch again.
:4: out of 5
Then along comes Costner, a retired baseball pro who eeks out a living by playing radio talk show host and by selling autographed baseballs. He lives by himself, drinks too much and is an outright slob. He sort of forces way into a relationship with Joan and over time her relationship with her daughters improves and she even begins to believe there is hope for her to find happiness with Costner. Then the past re-emerges to change things.
The beginning of the movie sets you up for this, but to be honest, I was really surprised by this wrinkle that leads to the conclusion.
Joan Allen's acting is nothing short of fantastic. I am a hardcore Kevin Costner fan, but I'd have to admit that his performance here is the best thing he's done in quite some time. The story is well scripted and the film is well directed. At just under 2 hours, it is a bit long and some may find it drags in places, but I felt every minute was necessary to properly develop the characters.
Some nice music on the soundtrack and the New Line transfers is excellent.
This is one I will watch again.
:4: out of 5
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