Another Happy Day

"Another Happy Day" is an independent/low budget film from newcomer director Sam Levinson that focuses on a middle aged woman Lynn (Ellen Barkin) and her incredibly troubled family coming together for her eldest son's wedding.

The family ties here are quite complicated; Lynn has three sons and a daughter. Dylan, the groom and her eldest son was mostly raised by ex- husband Paul (Thomas Haden Church) and conniving second wife Patty (Demi Moore), Lynn's daughter with Paul is Alice (introduced halfway in the film by Kate Bosworth), who was raised by Lynn and is suicidal and prone to self harm. The younger sons are chronic drug addict Elliot (Ezra Miller) and an Asperger's sufferer Ben (Daniel Yelsky). It doesn't stop there, Lynn has two unbearable sisters you want to strangle (Diana Scarwid, Siobhan Fallonn Hogan) and her mother (Ellen Burstyn), as proper and respectable as she is, lacks any warmth or support for her daughter.

The film is a depressing and an emotionally draining experience. At times it is almost unbearable especially in Lynn's position as everyone around her is either against her or verbally and mentally attacking her to shreds. Burstyn's character makes a point one night of "Why ME!?" , as she reflects on the deterioration of her husband, but the audience's sympathy should be applied to Lynn, she is continually on the verge of a major breakdown but continues to pay no attention to how bad her state is and tries to soldiers on in this "joyous" family occasion.

Despite the film's miserable tone throughout and the lack of any resolution in the end, the film offers fantastic performances all around. In particular Ellen Barkin as the lead is simply stunning and should be recognized for her work here, her career has somewhat stalled in the last 10 years but hopefully with this performance and her recent Tony win we can see more performances of this caliber in the future. Another standout is the very engaging performance of Ezra Miller who plays the son from hell in another 2011 film this year (We Need to Talk About Kevin), and we shall hopefully see a lot more of him in the future. Ellen Burstyn was her usual wonderful self, her scene in the kitchen late at night with Barkin is incredibly intense and realistic, she take your breath away. Kate Bosworth, Demi Moore (a real bitch in this) and Thomas Haden Church are also at their best. Gloomy film, but wonderful cast, and recommended.

I confess to having seen this film twice, the second time just to see if knowing the ending made any difference to the way the script plays out. It didn't. I was just as embroiled in the detail of a family showing their affection for each other in so many different ways but none of them pleasant. And yet the love was and is there for the whole of the family, it just isn't the kind of fluff or gush that Hollywood is famed for heaping upon its audiences. This is tough love for tough lives, not in the physical sense but in the mental veneers families sometimes play with.

If this were a book you would probably put it down and find a lighter read but as a film it provokes you to look away in the full knowledge you won't because you are already gripped. You just want to know how long it will take before the sparring turns into real bare knuckle fights. The cast perform their tasks wonderfully well, so well that they seem real and that is another reason you cannot turn your head. It is not a film for those who love action or movement in a film because this dwells and draws maximum coverage from each scene. And yet it isn't slow. It is deeply layered and textured with such a diverse range of characters each vying for your affection. And you will love them all for their many faults but mostly for their ability to survive.

If you are not into intelligent drama then you'd best give this a mess, but if you like a really good tour around human beings attempting to live together if only for a day or so, then try it. You may enjoy it as much as I did.

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!

Definitely worth seeing. Watched it tonight, bottle of wine, low expectations, as I hadn't heard of the film at all....full of great acting, good script, believable characters, some fine comedic moments and very touching at times. Mind you, with Ellens Barkin and Burstyn in it, it must have something going for it, don't you think? Both wonderful, and also great to see George Kennedy, too. The young actor playing Elliot is definitely one to watch, too. I can't believe that this film is rated a 5 out of 10, given some of the garbage I've seen lately. Watch this - you wont be disappointed. I hope. Some comments say the characters aren't believable. I beg to differ.

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.