Margarita Happy Hour (2001)
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76% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
100% of users liked it
(49 ratings)
It's hard to be hip and a mother at the same time, as one twenty-something New Yorker discovers in this independent comedy drama. Zelda (Eleanor Hutchins) is a struggling artist who lives with her boyfriend Max (Larry Fessenden), a would-be writer, in a bohemian neighborhood in Brooklyn favored… More It's hard to be hip and a mother at the same time, as one twenty-something New Yorker discovers in this independent comedy drama. Zelda (Eleanor Hutchins) is a struggling artist who lives with her boyfriend Max (Larry Fessenden), a would-be writer, in a bohemian neighborhood in Brooklyn favored by fellow creative types for the cheap rents and friendly atmosphere. Zelda is also the mother of a two-year-old boy, Little Z (Jonah Leland). Max is the child's father, but doesn't go out of his way to shoulder his share of the labor in caring for him; Zelda says that since she opted to keep the baby, the ultimate responsibility is hers, not his, but it's hard not to sense a hint of resentment in her attitude towards Max. Zelda strives to be a good mother and provide for her son while staying true to her on-the-edge personality, but she's begun to realize that she can't go on being the life of the party and a responsible single parent at the same time; she's also grown tired of sharing an apartment with five other adults, none of whom is holding down a full-time job. As Zelda is arriving at an emotional crossroads, her old friend Natali (Holly Ramos) re-enters her life; Natali has just gotten out of rehab after her latest attempt to wean herself off heroin, but with little to keep her occupied, her self-control is not especially strong, and Natali soon finds herself becoming quite friendly with Max, who is growing weary of his relationship with Zelda. Margarita Happy Hour was shown at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, where it was enthusiastically received by audiences and critics. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ilya Chaiken
- Written By
- Ilya Chaiken
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 22, 2001 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 5, 2005
- Studio
- Passport Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
The strength of Hutchins' performance and the open-endedness of Chaiken's film keep Zelda vivid long after the fade-out.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Effective in all its aspects, Margarita Happy Hour represents an auspicious feature debut for Chaiken.
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Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
With its parade of almost perpetually wasted characters ... Margarita feels like a hazy high that takes too long to shake.
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John Anderson, Newsday
Its portrait of a very unsung sector of society is refreshingly honest and entertaining.
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Megan Turner, New York Post
A joyful celebration of female friendship and an unusually honest look at newly responsible young women wistfully saying goodbye to the dreams of their youth.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Eleanor Hutchins
as Zelda
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Larry Fessenden
as Max
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Holly Ramos
as Natali
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Jonah Leland
as Little Z
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Barbara Sicuranza
as Graziella
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Amanda Vogel
as Raquel
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Macha Ross
as Sofia
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Kristin Dispaltro
as Marie
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Will Keenan
as Lester
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Michael Buscemi
as Pornographer
