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.

Lynn (Ellen Barkin) is coming back to the family home with his sons Elliot (Ezra Miller) and Ben (Daniel Yelsky) Her eldest son Dylan (Michael Nardelli) is getting married. Her daughter Alice (Kate Bosworth) is also coming. She's a fragile mess. Elliot is a cynical trouble maker who causes havoc. Lynn struggles with her parents (Ellen Burstyn, George Kennedy), her sisters (Siobhan Fallon, Diana Scarwid), her ex-husband (Thomas Haden Church) and his second wife Patty (Demi Moore).

This is Sam Levinson's directorial debut and a writer as well. The cast list is very impressive. That may have something to do with the fact that Sam is the son of Barry Levinson. The great actors do some big performances here. Besides the big names, Ezra Miller also gives a good performance. However the whole movie is a chaotic mess of excessive drama with too many characters. More is not always better. The amateur directions never really allow the film to settle down and find a member of this family that we can root for.

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!

At the time of writing this review 308 users have given a weighted average vote of 4.9. Note that 92 voters gave a 10 and 39 voters gave a 1. That indicates Another Happy Day must be a controversial movie. Let me add that it is a controversial quality movie. You may or may not like the story, if you don't then view this movie as a demonstration of good acting. Ellen Barkin is superb. And then there is Ellen Burstyn, at first I did not recognize her ( excellent make-up job ) but Doris and Sarah Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream are both played by Ellen Burstyn. Demi Moore plays the part of a woman you should instantly hate and she does that very well. I simply forgot she was 'Demi Moore'. - I don't want to say much about the movie except this line, as I remember it. "I got upset because they called me autistic while I am only diagnosed as bipolar." - "Did they say that while you were there?" - "No, but I have exceptionally well hearing, I can hear frequencies as low as 20 Hertz."

I went into the Savannah Film Festival screening of this film not really expecting much. Of all the movies I saw at the film festival, this one resonated with me the most, and came closest to my heart.

Sam Levinson has woven a dark dramedy of epic proportions as Lynn (Oscar-worthy performance by Ellen Barkin) drives her two sons to her mother's house for the eldest son's wedding. Through it all the audience witnesses the public and private meltdowns and sentimentality's of this flawed, and deeply human family.

From Lynn's confrontation of her divorcé husband (Thomas Haden Church), to her drug-addled, caustic-mouthed son Elliot's (genius performance from Ezra Miller) flirtation with grandpa's meds, to catty quips from Lynn's sisters, past trauma, guilt, and resentment flow onto the screen. What rises from this fertile emotional landscape are frightening moments, and hysterically funny scenes. For the audience it's an event, but Lynn and her boys it's just 'Another Happy Day.'

Humor is the pallet cleanser for this hearty cinematic meal. The viewer fears for Elliot's life after he nearly OD's on the bathroom floor; then breaks into hysterics as Elliot tries to hide his blue lips with mom's rouge, the following morning. It's all so funny, and so smart. You will be cry as much from laughing as you will from the sorrowful scenes.

Performances cut deep with their stark realism. From Ellen Barkin's Lynn, Ezra Miller's Elliot, Ellen Burstyn's Doris, down to 14 year old Daniel Yelsky's Ben - someone is going to get an Oscar nomination here. And if not, then the critics aren't ready for Levinson's dark blend of laughs and tears.

Highly recommended: 9 out of 10.