Happy Hour (2003)

38% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(98 ratings)

An alcoholic must choose between love, life, and the bottle in this independent comedy drama. Tulley (Anthony LaPaglia) is a self-described "drinker with a writing problem," who after publishing a handful of well-respected short stories, began work on a novel. The novel, however, turned out to be a… More An alcoholic must choose between love, life, and the bottle in this independent comedy drama. Tulley (Anthony LaPaglia) is a self-described "drinker with a writing problem," who after publishing a handful of well-respected short stories, began work on a novel. The novel, however, turned out to be a harder task than Tulley imagined, and he opted to take a job as an advertising copywriter, where he earns a good living but makes scant use of his talent. Tulley has also fallen into a habit of heavy drinking, as his best friend, Levine (Eric Stoltz), looks on with bemused concern. One night at a bar, Tulley meets Natalie (Caroleen Feeney), a teacher who doesn't much care for children, and what starts as a one-night stand turns into a love affair. As Natalie gets to know Tulley better, she discovers the talent lurking behind his alcoholic defenses, and encourages him to devote himself to literature again. However, as they fall deeper in love, Tulley discovers he has a larger problem than his novel to deal with -- he's been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and won't have long to live if he can't change his ways. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Mike Bencivenga
Written By: Mike Bencivenga, Richard P. Levine
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Sports & Fitness, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 22, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Apr 4, 2006
Studio: Lantern Lane Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times
In a world with so many problems, it's hard to drum up any sympathy for these characters' profligate self-destruction.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
LaPaglia is solid and there's a grittiness here, and a clear-eyed approach to alcoholism that's reminiscent of Leaving Las Vegas.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
If only its characters weren't such stereotypes.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
What you'll remember most about the movie is its banal script and dialogue so ripe it almost laughs at itself.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The characters in Happy Hour are stick figures from a musty old teleplay that might be titled The Days of Wine and Malarkey.
Jorge Morales, Village Voice
Strain credulity. Shake until sudsy. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or Eric Stoltz. Serve chilled, straight up.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
never fleshes any of its characters out beyond bare simplicity
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
An unhappy hour-and-a-half.
, E! Online
The premise of the ever-soused movie is solid, too bad the execution is anything but.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
First-time writer-director Mike Bencivenga and co-writer Richard Levine have a flair for brittle repartee, and an obvious affection for literate drunks, but their take on the drinking life feels antiquated and movie-derived.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Drama of a self-destructive, boozing New York ad man would reek of cliche were it not for a virtuosic performance from Anthony LaPaglia, who still fails to make this small film big.
Jay Antani, Los Angeles Alternative
Happy Hour is strictly college-level compost, content with its mediocrity, if not wholly unaware of it.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Nothing especially new, but a well-acted chamber piece about a self-destructive writer.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Sharply written, flawlessly acted.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
Provides enough tragi-comedy to make the viewer feel like drowning their own sorrows... while laughing to lift their spirits.
Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine
Collectively, the result is a familiar film off the beaten path.
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
Once the story takes its big turn toward tragedy, though, it becomes predictable and sentimental.