The Upside of Anger

Give some big points to Joan Allen. In The Upside of Anger, she takes an angry, often drunk character whose actions are odd, even for someone who is angry and often drunk, and manages to make herself relatable and even identifiable. Points go to Kevin Costner, too, for taking a supporting role (sure, it’s a big, juicy supporting role, but still …) and reminding viewers why we liked him in the first place.

Kevin Costner as Denny and Joan Allen as Terry

When her husband and his secretary disappear, Terry Wolfmeyer (Allen) is left with four adolescent daughters and a great deal of rage. Oldest daughter Hadley (Alicia Witt), who blames her mom as much as her dad for the trouble, is away at college much of the time. Pitching in on the home front are aspiring journalist Andy (Erika Christensen), classical dancer Emily (Keri Russell) and video-maker Popeye (Evan Rachel Wood).

Ex-pro baseball player and neighbor Denny Davies (Costner) starts hanging out at the house. He annoys the hell out of mom at first, but hey — she was pissed off already. After a while, of course, she begins to warm to the lovable, heavy-drinking lug. Incidentally, Denny also works as a radio talk show host. His producer, a schnook named Shep (played by writer/director Mike Binder), hovers in the background, waiting his turn.

That’s pretty much the whole plot for this occasionally logy, but surprisingly affable drama/comedy. The girls, while likable, tend to blur together, but Allen and Costner are just terrific. As mentioned earlier, Allen’s character often exhibits illogical behavior — she seeks information ferociously, but generally appears content to rant, rave and sulk instead of acting on the problem issues. The resolution of one story element will leave you with your eyes rolling. Doesn’t matter, though. Allen and Costner are good enough to make up for the bad stuff. Watching them is a pleasure — the settings are almost irrelevant.