Review of film: “HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE”

2011, 03-14:

Review of film:  “HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE” 

          { I’m-Glad-/You’re-WELCOME-/We’ll-Consider-It }

                             DON’T Shirk the “QUIRK”!

This movie was written, directed by & stars JOSH RADNOR.  Often, that can be a recipe for “disaster”--  but, in this case, it’s a TASTY concoction of “20-somethings” trying to be “adults”…

…  Sam Wexler (JOSH RADNOR) is a writer, who’s not “going” anywhere…  He has a bunch of “1-nite-stand” type of girlfriends, but no one who’s “important” to him… 

…  He regularly commiserates with an old friend, Annie (MALIN ACKERMAN), who is suffering from alopecia (hair loss), a situation she tries to HIDE from people (using head wraps, etc.) due to her self-image difficulties…

…  Malin has a habit of making BAD choices in guys she goes with.  Her current poor option is Ira (PETER SCAVANINO).  After thinking he seems to be “sincere” romantically, he sort of accidentally gives away the fact that he’s a CHEATER--  making her all the more “wary” about being with guys… 

…  The guy she decides to especially “avoid” is a nerdy-acting lawyer named “Sam # 2” (TONY HALE) at her office job.  She’s especially bugged at the way he keeps taking PHOTOS of her in the office, & can barely believe her “bad luck” in meeting worthwhile guys…

…  Another friend of Josh’s is a sort of adopted quasi-“sister” of his named Mary Catherine (ZOE KAZAN), who’s seldom “pleased” with his choice of women.  She herself has a longtime boyfriend Charlie (PABLO SCHREIBER)…

…  Pablo is a decent, loving type guy who’s recently returned from visiting a friend out west.  He wants to MOVE to Los Angeles, but Zoe is afraid of the idea of LEAVING the New York City area she loves.  She also is keeping an important “SECRET” from him, & keeps trying to dissuade him from the idea of moving (even if it might help his financial situation)…

…  One day, in going to an interview concerning some of his writing efforts, Josh is riding the subway train.  He sees a light black kid looking to be around 10 years old.  The boy (Rasheen--  played by MICHAEL ALGIERI) seemed to try to get off at a stop with other kids he was sitting with--  but was caught in the influx of people & COULDN’T exit with them…

…  Josh is very concerned for the boy, & tries to HELP him.  But, Michael doesn’t want to talk much, & REFUSES to go to the POLICE station as Josh urges, fearing there’ll be problems.  He also does not want to go back with the FAMILY he’d been riding with.  Eventually, he makes clear the people he was with were not really his family, just some “FOSTER” group he didn’t want to be around any more…

…  Josh doesn’t know quite what to “do”, & reluctantly takes him WITH him to the interview--  which Michael’s presence tends to “ruin” for him…  Josh tries to be NICE to the uneager-to-talk kid, & offers him some food & a place to stay for the nite.  He finds that Michael has a lot of ARTISTIC talent, & works to encourage him in that…

…  In the “midst” of Josh’s “confusion”, he meets a very pretty bartender lady & tries to get to know her better.  Her name is Mississippi (KATE MARA), & she sort of likes him too, & urges him to come hear her SING--  which he’s reluctant to do…  But, he keeps “PURSUING” her romantically, even with young Michael around in his apartment…

… Josh is not very “forthcoming” to Kate about his “relationship” with Michael, initially claiming he’s in a sort of “BIG BROTHER” mentoring type program with him…  But, Malin and Zoe know the real situation, & keep urging him to contact FOSTER CARE or some similar agency to try to help Michael…

…  All the various relationships described above tend to “SPIN” around, with Malin starting to really like Tony, ongoing discussions & disagreements between Zoe & Pablo, & problems that arise when Kate finds out about how Josh has deceived her about young Michael…

…  At one point, we learn that the “ThankyouMorePlease” comes from someone who felt that the universe is inherently “abundant”, & it’s a way of encouraging people to see & get “involved” in “MORE” of that…

…  Will it initially help or hurt Josh when he finally contacts the FOSTER AGENCY about Michael?...  Will Malin let down her “guard” & accept the warm interest from Tony?...  Will Zoe stop “fighting” the love that Pablo is trying to give her (& maybe even tell him her “SECRET”)?...

…  Will Josh (-- who one character says lives a life of “short stories” --) be able to “win back” the attraction of Kate?...  What will happen to young Michael with all the “swirling” tribulations?...

  

…  This is an UNUSUAL story of young people trying, & at times almost “forced”, to “GROW UP” in their lives and relationships…  But, tho they’re a “quirky” bunch, they’re essentially KIND-hearted, loving to each other as friends, & you grow to really CARE about all of them…

…  In some ways, it’s amazing that Josh was able to make the characters so “BELIEVABLE” & “nuanced” in their personalities & traits.  It’s because he’s so successful at what he’s doing that I rate the sweet film at 8.5 out of 10 stars… 

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