Upside of Anger is the story of two adult drinking buddies who find romance amongst their emotionally depressing existence that leads them to consume vast amounts of alcohol. Kevin Costner plays an ex-baseball star who moonlights as a radio disc jockey with a knack for hating his former profession. Joan Allen equals him in her role as a failing mother of four girls who loses her husband in unknown circumstances. The six main characters begin a enemies but warm to each other and eventually mold into a family. Binder makes a turn as a radio producer ‘cowboy’ who dates younger women but finally finds turns to women his own age.

The film begins on a promising note with Costner putting on a solid performance as a middle age man with no prospects but it soon spirals out of control. Allen and the supporting cast act thorny throughout, which drains the film. Here’s why it’s bad: it is a cliché film that hints at substance copied from better films but that is invisible here. The clichés include the five alpha females who due to a missing male do not understand each other compete with the know-it-all younger sister. And of course Costner’s role has an affinity with baseball, something we have seen too often from him (Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, For the Love of the Game). 

This film is about a journey of discovery – albeit – it is a journey that does not materialize. The script is jumps from unhealthy beginning to desirable result without taking plausible steps. It is safe to say that the film fails because it has no substance. Characters act out scenes without any motivation, cause and effect that leaves you wondering what you just watched and why. Costner tries to act funny and Binder goes for serious but unfortunately opposites do not attract here. 

Overall this is a poor script with lax directing, which makes for a film that lacks depth, style and grace. Binder aims high for a moral choice story with philosophical undertones but he misses the mark. He does however achieve a mid stream family oriented drinking film that has no basis for production. It is not original and it’s lukewarm but watchable if you enjoy 2 star films.

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