Review of Happy Hour

Introduction

" Happy Hour," is the story of Ryan Tulley (Anthony LaPaglia), a dried-up but not dried-out forty-something writer living in Manhattan. Once a big noise in the literary world after writing an impressive array of short stories, he was touted as "the most promising young talent of 1980." Now he spends his working day editing copy for an advertising agency and his nights drinking himself to death in his local bar with best friend and work colleague, Levine (Eric Stoltz). They fantasise about women and Tulley threatens to complete his novel that`s seventeen years overdue.

Tulley claims to be content however with the person he has become and hides the fact that his drinking is spiralling out of control under a blanket of wisecracks and arrogant charm.

He doesn`t hate his job either; he just doesn`t care enough about it to change his lifestyle, even a little. He despairs at the quality of work most of the young writers produce and his boss/ex-partner is having an office affair with the person he hates most, besides his father, the spiteful Scott who would "run naked through Grand Central Station," for Tulley`s job.

Life suddenly takes a turn for the better when he meets the lovely Natalie (Caroleen Feeney) in the bar one Levine-less evening. Well I say better but we`re not really awarded an insight into what he privately thinks of his life before they meet. Because he is so full of bravado it`s hard to say whether the audacity is fake or maybe he really is content with his all.

He instantly takes a shine to the pretty schoolteacher and not just because she can match him drink-for-drink. Natalie is a genuinely nice person and she has fallen for him too despite the fact that he is mysterious, cynical and prefers bourbon in the morning to coffee.

The pair carry on the bar routine every night with Levine in tow and now a permanent fixture on Tulley`s couch. They form one of those three-way friendships that seem to be so common among thirty/forty-something single New Yorkers.

Tulley`s life falls into freefall though when he receives bad news during a hospital visit following a drunken bar fight and he soon realises that if he is ever going to finish his novel then now is the time.

He has issues; with lots of things; but most of all with his father. Played by the fantastic Robert Vaughn, he effortlessly portrays Tulley Sr. as an uncaring, not very understanding father figure. A well-respected, successful writer he now views his son as something of an embarrassment and wasted talent.

Tulley Jr.seems to revel in this and twists the knife further by turning up drunk at one of his father`s highbrow social gatherings.

Probably a misunderstood cry for help his frustrated attitude succeeds in alienating himself further from his father and Natalie.

From this point in the film we see the character of Tulley try to challenge his addiction and his fate. Before, he could choose to change his life but he had no reason to, now he has a reason but no choice.

All he can do now is finish what he started seventeen years ago but not without a little help from his friends.

The seriousness of how he has been living his life becomes horrifyingly evident at this stage and La Paglia powerfully displays and narrates the undignified effects Tulley now has to endure because of his alcoholism.

Supporting cast are also very good. Eric Stoltz as unlucky-in-love Levine provides the perfect parallel to La Paglia`s Tulley. Loyal and supportive and a better friend than Tulley deserves he is happy to live as his friend does but not to die like he does.

Feeney`s background is in B-Movies so director Mike Bencivenga stuck his neck out slightly by casting her in the role. She plays the character very well but it is slightly perplexing as to how such an attractive, friendly woman can still be single and have no baggage attached, emotional or otherwise. As a self-confessed loather of children maybe the choices she made in her career echo when it comes to choosing men or maybe her choice of career is precisely the reason why she remains childless. Whatever the reasons pretty soon she`ll have no choice either.

Bencivenga delivers a great little narrative feature film worthy of the many awards it received. It`s only 94 minutes in length so it doesn`t waste any time in getting going. There are some fine comedy moments usually a result of Tulley`s mischievous streak or Levine`s imagination but prepare to get the hankies out too. I`d leave the wine in the fridge though!

Video

The film is presented in 4:3 Full Frame. Picture quality is fine.

Audio

The music that accompanies the film is jazz. It`s probably what you would expect from a movie shot in and around Manhattan bars and it suits the film well. La Paglia narrates the film and for an Aussie probably sounds more New York than Joan Rivers.

Features

The only extras included on the disc are written biographies of the stars and a general summary of the film and the awards that it has received and been nominated for.

Conclusion

This is a great little movie with sterling all round performances. La Paglia is excellent in the main character role and although the drunken writer has been played many times before it is definitely worth seeing his take on it. I`ll certainly be screening it again.