The Upside of Anger
The Upside of Anger ★★★ 2005 (R)
Allen gives new meaning to the term ferocious as betrayed suburban Detroit wife Terry Wolfmeyer. Her husband has apparently left Terry and their four beautiful daughters (Witt, Christensen, Russell, Wood) for his secretary. Terry takes to alcohol, anger, and rebellion while the girls run the household. When neighbor Denny (Costner) finds out about her plight, he's eager to make Terry a drinking buddy and possible romantic partner. Genial Denny, who's bored and lonely, is a retired Detroit Tigers pitcher turned radio talk show host. (He's also entranced by the sheer femaleness of the Wolfmeyer home.) There's a certain comfortable, angsty camaraderie to the whole situation that's appealing. Writer/director Binder also takes a small role as Denny's lecherous producer. 118m/C DVD . US Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, Mike Binder, Dane Christensen, Holt McCallany; D: Mike Binder; W: Mike Binder; C: Richard Greatrex; M: Alexandre Desplat, Stephen (Steve) Edwards.