ViewGuide

Created Jun 12, 2016 08:51PM PST • Edited Jun 14, 2016 09:55AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Happy Endings drew me in while channel surfing, and then turned me into an emotional captive. “Not a very good movie” I’d think, but then another emotional car-wreck would happen and I’d get transfixed anew. Was there a happy ending in the end? Sadly not. Satisfying dramatic payoff? Nope, not that either.

   That’s because emotional blackmail is the primary plot driver. Indeed, the movie requires that you become an emotional captive to stay with it. Making matters worse is that it’s an LA movie about self-absorbed LA people: more attractive than usual, navigating non-traditional living arrangements. That last would be compelling if the characters were as interesting as they imagine themselves and had a modicum of grace.

   Ultimately, this poorly titled movie is somewhat like a homey Crash for wealthy progressives. Three loosely connected stories interweave around surrogate parenthood, gay couples and other liberated liberals. Many of them seem to be getting by on $500K a year, IOW the core of the 21st century Democratic Party.

   Human biology disconnected from traditional relationships is a rich topic deserving of a great movie, a great comedy especially. Happy Endings isn’t that movie. It isn’t even close.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Tom Arnold stands out from the large ensemble as a wealthy widower prone to emotional victimization. The guy can act, not just be a buffoon. Pity his career never got out of the ditch.

   Maggie Gyllenhaal also distinguishes herself as a girlfriend on the make, and a great singer by the by.

   Others in the large cast of mostly TV actors come across as TV movie performers, including Lisa Kudrow, Steve Coogan, Jason Ritter, David Sutcliffe, Laura Dern & Sarah Clarke.

   Bobby Cannavale also deserves mention for a particularly risible performance as a Mexican masseuse. I’ve often said Bobby C. never gives a bad performance and improves any movie he’s in. Not always, I see.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Writer-Director Don Roos has two children with his husband. This his film’s focus on gay parenthood.

11. Direction Barely OK 2.0

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music Great 4.0

    Maggie Gyllenhaal is quite the chanteuse.

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

    As with many Left Wing comedies, Happy Endings traffics in casual bigotry.

17. Sex Titillating 1.8

18. Violence Gentle 1.4

19. Rudeness Salty 1.8

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 2.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0