Life During Wartime (film)
Encyclopedia
Life During Wartime is a 2009 American comedy-drama film
written and directed by Todd Solondz
, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival
on September 2009. It is a direct, but loose sequel
to his 1998 film Happiness, with new actors playing the same characters, and imperfect continuity. It stars Allison Janney
, Shirley Henderson
, and Ciarán Hinds
, among others.
The official synopsis of the film is: "Friends, family, and lovers struggle to find love, forgiveness, and meaning in a war-torn world riddled with comedy and pathos". Solondz said Life During Wartime was "a little more politically overt" than previous works."
Life During Wartime won the Golden Osella
award for best screenplay
at the 66th Venice Film Festival
.
), Joy (Shirley Henderson
), and Helen (Ally Sheedy
).
Since the events of Happiness, Joy has married Helen's former neighbor Allen Mellencamp (Michael Kenneth Williams), who continues to struggle with his problem of making obscene phone calls. On the occasion of their anniversary, he gives Joy an engraved ashtray, which appears to be the same one given to her by Andy in the opening scene of Happiness.
Trish has been raising her three children, Billy (now off at college), Timmy and Chloe. She has begun dating Harvey Weiner (Michael Lerner
), who she hopes is normal. Trish's ex-husband, Bill (Ciarán Hinds
) has been released from prison after serving a sentence for child molestation, and heads to Florida
to find out how his family, particularly his eldest son, are doing. He finds brief solace in a one-night stand with Jacqueline (Charlotte Rampling
), a self-described "monster" as filled with loneliness and self-hatred as he is; however, she kicks him out the next morning when she catches him taking money from her purse.
Trish's middle child, Timmy (Dylan Riley Snyder
), is preparing for his bar mitzvah and trying to determine what it means to become a man. Trish has for years told Timmy and Chloe that Bill had died, to avoid telling them that he is a pedophile
. Timmy finds out, however, and is angry at her that she lied to him. When he asks her about the mechanics of rape
, Trish urges him to scream as soon as any man touches him.
Meanwhile, Joy takes a break from her husband Allen, and heads to Florida to spend time with Trish. She begins having visions of Andy (Paul Reubens
), a former co-worker who had committed suicide
shortly after dating Joy. She briefly visits Helen in California
, who has become a successful screenwriter, and alludes to a relationship with "Keanu", but returns to New Jersey to discover Allen has committed suicide in her absence. She returns to Florida to attend Timmy's bar mitzvah.
In the meantime, Bill sneaks into Trish's house to find Billy's college address. He pays Billy (Chris Marquette) an unexpected visit, where they discuss their past and the time that passed while Bill was in prison; in particular, Bill asks Billy a few very blunt questions about his sex life. Bill asks for forgiveness, but Billy refuses, saying his actions are unforgivable. Bill then disappears again, reassured that Billy will not turn out to be like him.
Harvey brings his adult son Mark to dinner at Trish's, where he and Trish introduce their children to each other. At Timmy's request Harvey comes to Timmy's room, to have a talk. Timmy asks Harvey whether he is gay
or a pedophile. Harvey denies being either, and, suspecting Timmy has been molested, tries to comfort him, touching his shoulder and hugging him. Terrified, Timmy starts to scream as per his mother's earlier instructions. Trish believes that Harvey had been trying to molest Timmy, and dumps him.
Timmy has his bar mitzvah, during which Joy experiences visions of Andy and then Allen, who implores her to commit suicide as he has, but Joy declines. Timmy leaves the reception to find Mark (Rich Pecci), Harvey's son. He begs Mark (who, in Palindromes
, revealed he had dealt with allegations of pedophilia) for forgiveness, as his mistakes were before his bar mitvah (an event marking the beginning of moral accountability). Mark grants him forgiveness, but notes that such gestures are meaningless. Timmy then says that all he wants is his father. In the background, Bill materializes in the same manner that Andy did earlier in the film, but walks offscreen as the film ends.
: February 20, 2010. Italy
: April 16, 2010, distributed by Archibald Films. U.S.: July 23, 2010, distributed by IFC Films
.
delivers an unexpected semi-sequel
to Happiness in typically uncompromising fashion."
. The song was written by Todd Solondz
, with music by Marc Shaiman
; it was produced by Beck
and Banhart, with background vocals by Beck.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
written and directed by Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz is an American independent film screenwriter and director known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire. Solondz has been critically acclaimed for his examination of the "dark underbelly of middle class American suburbia", a reflection of his own background...
, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
on September 2009. It is a direct, but loose sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to his 1998 film Happiness, with new actors playing the same characters, and imperfect continuity. It stars Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress, best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.- Personal life :...
, Shirley Henderson
Shirley Henderson
Shirley Henderson is a Scottish actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .-Early life:...
, and Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds is an Irish film, television and stage actor. He has built up a reputation as a versatile character actor appearing in such high profile films as Road to Perdition, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. His television roles include...
, among others.
The official synopsis of the film is: "Friends, family, and lovers struggle to find love, forgiveness, and meaning in a war-torn world riddled with comedy and pathos". Solondz said Life During Wartime was "a little more politically overt" than previous works."
Life During Wartime won the Golden Osella
Golden Osella
The Golden Osella is the name of several awards given at the Venice Film Festival. They are awarded irregularly and in various categories such as directing, screenwriting, cinematography and 'technical contributions'.-Best Director:...
award for best screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
at the 66th Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
.
Plot
The plot revolves around the three sisters featured in Happiness: Trish (Allison JanneyAllison Janney
Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress, best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.- Personal life :...
), Joy (Shirley Henderson
Shirley Henderson
Shirley Henderson is a Scottish actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .-Early life:...
), and Helen (Ally Sheedy
Ally Sheedy
Alexandra Elizabeth "Ally" Sheedy is an American film and stage actress, as well as the author of two books. She is best known for her roles in the Brat Pack films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.-Early life:...
).
Since the events of Happiness, Joy has married Helen's former neighbor Allen Mellencamp (Michael Kenneth Williams), who continues to struggle with his problem of making obscene phone calls. On the occasion of their anniversary, he gives Joy an engraved ashtray, which appears to be the same one given to her by Andy in the opening scene of Happiness.
Trish has been raising her three children, Billy (now off at college), Timmy and Chloe. She has begun dating Harvey Weiner (Michael Lerner
Michael Lerner (actor)
-Life and career:Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York of Romanian Jewish descent, the son of Blanche and George Lerner, who was a fisherman and antiques dealer. He was raised in Bensonhurst and Red Hook. His brother, Ken Lerner, is also an actor...
), who she hopes is normal. Trish's ex-husband, Bill (Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds is an Irish film, television and stage actor. He has built up a reputation as a versatile character actor appearing in such high profile films as Road to Perdition, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. His television roles include...
) has been released from prison after serving a sentence for child molestation, and heads to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to find out how his family, particularly his eldest son, are doing. He finds brief solace in a one-night stand with Jacqueline (Charlotte Rampling
Charlotte Rampling
Charlotte Rampling, OBE is an English actress. Her career spans four decades in English-language as well as French and Italian cinema.- Early life :...
), a self-described "monster" as filled with loneliness and self-hatred as he is; however, she kicks him out the next morning when she catches him taking money from her purse.
Trish's middle child, Timmy (Dylan Riley Snyder
Dylan Riley Snyder
Dylan Riley Snyder is an American film, television and musical theatre performer. Beginning his acting career in community theatre at the age of five, Snyder is known for his acting, singing, and dancing abilities, starring as "Young Tarzan" in the 2006 Broadway musical, Tarzan, as "Timmy" in the...
), is preparing for his bar mitzvah and trying to determine what it means to become a man. Trish has for years told Timmy and Chloe that Bill had died, to avoid telling them that he is a pedophile
Pedophilia
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children...
. Timmy finds out, however, and is angry at her that she lied to him. When he asks her about the mechanics of rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, Trish urges him to scream as soon as any man touches him.
Meanwhile, Joy takes a break from her husband Allen, and heads to Florida to spend time with Trish. She begins having visions of Andy (Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens is an American actor, writer, film producer, and comedian, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens joined the Los Angeles troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s and started his career as an improvisational comedian and stage actor...
), a former co-worker who had committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
shortly after dating Joy. She briefly visits Helen in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, who has become a successful screenwriter, and alludes to a relationship with "Keanu", but returns to New Jersey to discover Allen has committed suicide in her absence. She returns to Florida to attend Timmy's bar mitzvah.
In the meantime, Bill sneaks into Trish's house to find Billy's college address. He pays Billy (Chris Marquette) an unexpected visit, where they discuss their past and the time that passed while Bill was in prison; in particular, Bill asks Billy a few very blunt questions about his sex life. Bill asks for forgiveness, but Billy refuses, saying his actions are unforgivable. Bill then disappears again, reassured that Billy will not turn out to be like him.
Harvey brings his adult son Mark to dinner at Trish's, where he and Trish introduce their children to each other. At Timmy's request Harvey comes to Timmy's room, to have a talk. Timmy asks Harvey whether he is gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
or a pedophile. Harvey denies being either, and, suspecting Timmy has been molested, tries to comfort him, touching his shoulder and hugging him. Terrified, Timmy starts to scream as per his mother's earlier instructions. Trish believes that Harvey had been trying to molest Timmy, and dumps him.
Timmy has his bar mitzvah, during which Joy experiences visions of Andy and then Allen, who implores her to commit suicide as he has, but Joy declines. Timmy leaves the reception to find Mark (Rich Pecci), Harvey's son. He begs Mark (who, in Palindromes
Palindromes (film)
Palindromes is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz and a sequel to Solondz's 1995 film, Welcome to the Dollhouse...
, revealed he had dealt with allegations of pedophilia) for forgiveness, as his mistakes were before his bar mitvah (an event marking the beginning of moral accountability). Mark grants him forgiveness, but notes that such gestures are meaningless. Timmy then says that all he wants is his father. In the background, Bill materializes in the same manner that Andy did earlier in the film, but walks offscreen as the film ends.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Actor who portrayed the character in Happiness |
|---|---|---|
| Ally Sheedy Ally Sheedy Alexandra Elizabeth "Ally" Sheedy is an American film and stage actress, as well as the author of two books. She is best known for her roles in the Brat Pack films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.-Early life:... |
Helen Jordan | Lara Flynn Boyle Lara Flynn Boyle Lara Flynn Boyle is an American film and television actress best known for her performances as Laura Palmer's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in The Practice... |
| Allison Janney Allison Janney Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress, best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.- Personal life :... |
Trish Jordan/Maplewood | Cynthia Stevenson Cynthia Stevenson Cynthia Stevenson is an American actress.Stevenson was born in Oakland, California, the daughter of Gayle, an editor, and Al Stevenson, an upholstery warehouse owner. She grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia.... |
| Ciarán Hinds Ciarán Hinds Ciarán Hinds is an Irish film, television and stage actor. He has built up a reputation as a versatile character actor appearing in such high profile films as Road to Perdition, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. His television roles include... |
Bill Maplewood | Dylan Baker Dylan Baker Dylan Baker is an American actor, known for playing supporting roles in both major studio and independent films.-Early life:... |
| Chris Marquette | Billy Maplewood | Rufus Read |
| Paul Reubens Paul Reubens Paul Reubens is an American actor, writer, film producer, and comedian, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens joined the Los Angeles troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s and started his career as an improvisational comedian and stage actor... |
Andy | Jon Lovitz Jon Lovitz Jonathan "Jon" Lovitz is an American comedian, actor, and singer. He is best known as a cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1990.-Early life:... |
| Michael Kenneth Williams | Allen Mellencamp | Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman is an American actor and director. Hoffman began acting in television in 1991, and the following year started to appear in films... |
| Shirley Henderson Shirley Henderson Shirley Henderson is a Scottish actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .-Early life:... |
Joy Jordan Mellencamp | Jane Adams Jane Adams (actress) Jane Adams is an American film, television and theatre actress.- Early life :Adams was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Janice, an administrative assistant, and William Adams, an engineer. She has a younger brother, Jonathan, and was raised in Wheaton, Illinois and Bellevue, Washington... |
| Charlotte Rampling Charlotte Rampling Charlotte Rampling, OBE is an English actress. Her career spans four decades in English-language as well as French and Italian cinema.- Early life :... |
Jacqueline | N/A |
| Renée Taylor Renee Taylor Renée Taylor is an American actress, Academy Award nominated writer and one-time director, best-known for having played Fran Drescher's outspoken mother, Sylvia Fine, on the TV series The Nanny.- Career :... |
Mona Jordan | Louise Lasser Louise Lasser Louise Lasser is an American actress. She is known for her portrayal of the title character on the soap opera parody Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She was married to Woody Allen and appeared in several of his films.-Personal life:... |
| Michael Lerner Michael Lerner (actor) -Life and career:Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York of Romanian Jewish descent, the son of Blanche and George Lerner, who was a fisherman and antiques dealer. He was raised in Bensonhurst and Red Hook. His brother, Ken Lerner, is also an actor... |
Harvey Wiener | Bill Buell (in Welcome to the Dollhouse Welcome to the Dollhouse Welcome to the Dollhouse is a 1995 American independent coming of age dark comedy. An independent film, it launched the careers of Todd Solondz and Heather Matarazzo.-Plot:... and Palindromes Palindromes (film) Palindromes is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz and a sequel to Solondz's 1995 film, Welcome to the Dollhouse... ) |
| Dylan Riley Snyder Dylan Riley Snyder Dylan Riley Snyder is an American film, television and musical theatre performer. Beginning his acting career in community theatre at the age of five, Snyder is known for his acting, singing, and dancing abilities, starring as "Young Tarzan" in the 2006 Broadway musical, Tarzan, as "Timmy" in the... |
Timmy Maplewood | Justin Elvin |
| Rich Pecci | Mark Wiener | Matthew Faber (in Welcome to the Dollhouse Welcome to the Dollhouse Welcome to the Dollhouse is a 1995 American independent coming of age dark comedy. An independent film, it launched the careers of Todd Solondz and Heather Matarazzo.-Plot:... and Palindromes Palindromes (film) Palindromes is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz and a sequel to Solondz's 1995 film, Welcome to the Dollhouse... ) |
| Gaby Hoffman | Wanda | N/A |
Release dates
IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
: February 20, 2010. Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
: April 16, 2010, distributed by Archibald Films. U.S.: July 23, 2010, distributed by IFC Films
IFC Films
IFC Films is an American film distribution company based in New York, owned by AMC Networks. It distributes independent films and documentaries under the IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight. It operates the IFC Center....
.
Critical reception
Life During Wartime received mixed to positive reviews; it currently holds a 69% 'fresh' rating, the consensus states "With Life During Wartime, Todd SolondzTodd Solondz
Todd Solondz is an American independent film screenwriter and director known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire. Solondz has been critically acclaimed for his examination of the "dark underbelly of middle class American suburbia", a reflection of his own background...
delivers an unexpected semi-sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Happiness in typically uncompromising fashion."
Soundtrack
The title song was performed by Devendra BanhartDevendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
. The song was written by Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz is an American independent film screenwriter and director known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire. Solondz has been critically acclaimed for his examination of the "dark underbelly of middle class American suburbia", a reflection of his own background...
, with music by Marc Shaiman
Marc Shaiman
Marc Shaiman is an American composer, lyricist, arranger, and performer for films, television, and theatre. He is perhaps best known for writing the music and co-writing the lyrics for the Broadway musical version of the cult John Waters film Hairspray, for which Shaiman won Tony and Grammy...
; it was produced by Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
and Banhart, with background vocals by Beck.
External links
- Variety review, September 3, 2009
- International Trailer