The Upside of Anger (2005)

Directed by: Mike Binder | 118 minutes | drama, comedy, romance | Actors: Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Evan Rachel Wood, Kerri Russell, Erika Christensen, Alicia Witt, Mike Binder, Tom Harper, Dane Christensen, Danny Webb, Magdalena Manville, Suzanne Bertisch, David Firth, Rod Woodruff, Stephen Greif

‘The Upside of Anger’ is a surprising film in several respects. It is a drama, but contains a striking number of funny moments. Joan Allen as Terry Woodmeyer is on a roll when it comes to posting snide comments. And it’s a relief to finally see Kevin Costner in a role that showcases comedic talent.

Mike Binder, who wrote the script, directed the film and played an important supporting role, differs significantly from his earlier work with ‘The Upside of Anger’. His previous films, including ‘The Sex Monster’ (1999) and ‘The Search for John Gissing’ (2001), have almost all been comedies. In ‘The Upside of Anger’ Binder tackles a theme that he himself had to deal with in his youth: he grew up as a child of divorced parents, and had a mother who could not bear the divorce.

While watching ‘The Upside of Anger’, the feeling prevails that the story set-up would have been more appropriate for a TV series than for a film of barely two hours. Perhaps this has partly to do with Binder’s background as a writer and producer of some TV series. Storylines such as the mysterious illness of daughter Emily and the surprising discovery at the end of the film are barely introduced and certainly not completed satisfactorily. It’s like looking at a summary rather than the whole story. In ‘The Upside of Anger’, Binder simply tries to process a little too many storylines and let them come together.

Nevertheless, ‘The Upside of Anger’ is an entertaining film with above average performances from the entire cast. In addition to the aforementioned protagonists Joan Allen and Kevin Costner, Evan Rachel Wood also excels in her role of the youngest daughter Popeye. Wood is funny and moving at the same time, and knows how to capture the vulnerability and guts of adolescent Popeye. The actresses who portray the other three daughters are also well-chosen: Alicia Witt as the dowdy Hadley, Erika Christensen as the provocative Andy and Keri Russell as the artistic Emily.
Fun fact is that Christensen’s younger brother, Dane, has a supporting role as the boy Popeye is in love with.

Overall, ‘The Upside of Anger’ is a refreshing twist on the average family drama. With the added bonus of Kevin Costner’s best role in years.