Review of Happy Endings (2014) by Frank N — 17 Apr 2011

Gay director Don Roos made a splash with his debut film "The Opposite Of Sex." His writing was crisp, Christina Ricci did her best acting onscreen as a siren, Lisa Kudrow was excellent, and it's one of the best satires about sexuality. His sophomore effort was forgetable and he's slightly returned to form with his third effort but not entirely successful.

"Happy Endings" is a busy movie with so many characters striving to find fulfilment. Every situation doesn't have to conclude with a happy ending. Maggie Gyllenhaal is the best actor here and she seems to relish her role as an opportunistic singer who needs shelter. The central relationship is between Lisa Kudrow and her stepbrother played by Steve Coogan. Kudrow is involved in a weird relationship with Jesse Bradford who's blackmailing her and sexy Bobby Cannavale, a Mexican immigrant. Coogan is involved in a weird relationship with his lover David Sutcliffe (as Gil) and a lesbian couple played by Laura Dern and Sarah Clarke. Gyllenhaal is involved with a weird father/son relationship played by an effective Jason Ritter (as Otis) and Tom Arnold as the empathetic dad. As I said, this is a busy movie with so many themes but the actors and strong writing keep it afloat. It resembles one of Robert Altman's ensemble movies.

I didn't like the script cards outlining the feelings of the characters. It's meant to be clever but is actually a distraction since the actors are bringing home the point. I'd completely eliminate the hackneyed ending too which is meant to buttress the title. How about a more general title like "Life's Endings?".