Movie Review: Leading Lady Andie MacDowell Returns In Resonant Drama 'My Happy Ending'
© Road Sights/TNS Tamsin Greig (left) and Andy McDowell in My Happy End.Ready or Not Before XXL's Magic Mike, Andy McDowell, the main villain in films like Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral, has been taking on more supporting roles over the past few years. : Netflix series The Girl with her daughter Margaret Qualley. While he's always memorable, it's nice to see him back as the lead (and non-romantic) in the heartwarming drama My Happy Ending , directed by Tal Granito and Sharon Mamone.
"My Happy Ending" was written by Rona Tamir based on Anat Gova's play. While Granit and Maimon add magical realism, the events take place over the course of several hours in the same location, revealing the story's theatrical roots. Unleash the film's cinematic potential.
McDowell plays Julia Roth, an American megastar who goes to a small British clinic for chemotherapy. Many comments on the name, her visible star print and beautiful hair make this fictional Julia very similar to Julia Roberts and reminiscent of Notting Hill, another film about which the movie star tries to stay away from the limelight in an English setting.
Julia, our star, has retired, just failed in the West End and is trying to switch to chemo. She didn't tell anyone, including her manager and daughter, about her colon cancer diagnosis, and she thought she could get through several rounds of chemo on her own without being detected. Privacy proves to be an issue at the clinic, where there are no private rooms, only off-screen spaces, but it turns out that Julia now has to deal with the lack of privacy.
Behind the screen are three women: clumsy dresser Mikey (Sally Phillips), smart, ugly old Judy (Miriam Margolis) and quiet but busy young mother Iman (Rahi Thackeray). After some awkward conversations, when it becomes clear that every conversation in the room can be eavesdropped (often used for comic effect), Julia surrenders to her surroundings and finds solace in these women who better understand the issues she faces. : .
My Happy Ending takes place in a room for a day, a woman who comes to a deeper understanding of her life through an unexpected encounter with several but unexpected new allies. McDowell brings her charm to the role of Julia, who is at first confused and scared, then becomes her strong defender. Also, Phillips' role, in which you recognize one of Bridget Jones's best friends, is like a cinematic cheat code; his comic power is natural and undeniable, but here he is allowed to paint all shades of the emotional rainbow, from euphoria. to euphoria. regret
© Tom Jackson/Road Sights/TNS Left to right: Sally Phillips, Andy McDowell, Miriam Margolis and Rakhi Thakkar in My Happy Ending.Granite and Maimon allow the characters and the audience to leave the clinic for what the women call "vacations," fantasy escapes to island rainforests, or controlled visuals shared by Burning Man or simply those left at home. Julia's "vacation" is wild, but will help her figure out what she wants to do, like get a horrible diagnosis she'll love, impress other women, or her longtime friend and manager Nancy (Tamsin Gregg). The support of other women allows her to speak her truth and choices to Nancy and her doctor (Tom Cullen).
My Happy Ending may seem modest at times, but the lessons it teaches are undeniable, including the idea that life is too short to ditch uncomfortable shoes. These may be superficial messages, but the conversation about our life or death choices is deep and resonant. A happy ending doesn't have to look the same for everyone, everyone is different and deeply individual.
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"My Happy Ending"
2.5 stars (out of 4)
Rated: R (for language and brief use of drugs)
Duration: 1:29
How to watch: In theaters Friday
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