What Happened Was...

An astonishing, captivating film. One of the toughest tricks to pull off is making film people talk like real people; director/writer Noonan does it o.k. This film generates a prickling, enjoyable sense of unease in the viewer, which gives way to discomfort and then alarm; and then on to awkwardness and the hope for reconciliation.

The only other Noonan film I've seen, apart from his cameo in the enjoyable hokum `Heat,' is `The Wife,' which I feel is less successful. One of the small cast of that film is Wallace Shawm, star of `My Dinner with Andre,' which has been mentioned her by another reviewer. As he says, `What Happened Was' is on similar territory to `Andre,' but it's much more somber and doesn't give that `redeeming' feeling at its end. Demanding and rewarding.

I watched this movie the other night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, you must be in the proper mood to enjoy a movie such as this. This movie centers around 2 lonely characters, man and woman, on a 'first' date at the woman's apartment. This movie is not too funny nor is it fast paced. The movie simply tries to flesh out each person's character for 90 minutes. This movie also led to some candid discussion between my fiancé and I, especially about the man's 'troubles' at the end of the film. We also discussed if there would be a 'second' date between them. The movie is steeped in realism and is shot very well. Worth a look if you're in the proper mood for a slow but interesting, character development story. 6 out of 10.

A daring movie with few equals: a journey into the heart of darkness of the date from hell. Two seemingly quiet, reserved folks teeming with disturbing secrets and half-truths reveal themselves to us and each other in an increasingly frightening crescendo. Deception, life, the skeletons of a nightmare closet. Gripping, a bit over-long, perhaps, but well worth the time. As of this writing I have rented and seen the film 4 times and each time I've learned something about myself, about my world and about vanity, trauma and deception.

Essentially a one act play about the pathos in the meeting of two lonely, damaged people who can't communicate their feelings and intentions, this character study reminds you of the most disturbed Woody Allen personas, and Brando's character in "Last Tango in Paris"- narcissistic, haunted by the past and continually oscillating between isolation and the desire that someone will rescue them from deep seated shame. Unpretentious, tense and compelling, "W.H.W" never lapses into sentimentality, and seems more focused than comparable more recent films such as "Heavy". It succeeds because of its sensitive treatment of a difficult subject.

This movie is certainly NOT for everyone. And I would whole heartedly agree with people who feel mislead by the cover of the videotape because it doesn't create any idea of what the movie is. What the movie is, is a very finely crafted film much like "My Dinner With Andre" but much more somber. The layers of these characters peel off as they become more and more comfortable with each other and it creates for an almost voyeristic feel that lends the movie an immediate impact credibility. This movie is reflective of how many, many people interact and present themselves as something they are not and how fragile people can really be. We see and work with people every day who could be lost souls, lonely hearts, broken egos etc.....and this movie simply reminds us that not everyone is what they seem and that the world is full of lost, lonely people. Obviously not a subject that lends itself to the average movie-goer but if you like outstanding writing and want to see what can be done with TRULY indepenent movies, this is the movie for you. I HIGHLY recommend it to literate movie fans.