Collectively, the result is a familiar film off the beaten path.
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10/21/04
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Happy Hour (2004)
38
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:21
Fresh:8
Rotten:13
Average Rating:5/10
Theatrical Release:Oct 22, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Once upon a time it appeared that Tulley (Anthony LaPaglia) had a glittering future mapped out ahead of him. The son of a successful writer, his early literary efforts suggested he would easily... [More]
Starring: Anthony LaPaglia, Eric Stoltz, Caroleen Feeney, Robert Vaughn
Director: Mike Bencivenga
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Reviews for Happy Hour
An unhappy hour-and-a-half.
12/17/04
Once the story takes its big turn toward tragedy, though, it becomes predictable and sentimental.
10/21/04
A small film, a tiny cast, a labor of love with a minuscule budget that shows in the poor lighting and even worse sound quality. That it was made is the thing to be applauded.
09/24/04
Nothing especially new, but a well-acted chamber piece about a self-destructive writer.
10/24/04
The premise of the ever-soused movie is solid, too bad the execution is anything but.
11/19/04
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10/21/04
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.
11/02/04
Provides enough tragi-comedy to make the viewer feel like drowning their own sorrows... while laughing to lift their spirits.
10/21/04
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12/06/05
never fleshes any of its characters out beyond bare simplicity
03/07/06
Director Mike Bencivenga has reinvented the alcoholic romantic dramedy and Leading Actor Anthony LaPaglia has redefined the cinematic soak. A beautiful piece of work.
06/02/04
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.
11/04/04
Happy Hour is strictly college-level compost, content with its mediocrity, if not wholly unaware of it.
10/29/04
In a world with so many problems, it's hard to drum up any sympathy for these characters' profligate self-destruction.
11/04/04
Top CriticWhat you'll remember most about the movie is its banal script and dialogue so ripe it almost laughs at itself.
10/22/04
Top CriticIf only its characters weren't such stereotypes.
10/22/04
The characters in Happy Hour are stick figures from a musty old teleplay that might be titled The Days of Wine and Malarkey.
10/21/04
Top CriticLaPaglia is solid and there's a grittiness here, and a clear-eyed approach to alcoholism that's reminiscent of Leaving Las Vegas.
10/22/04
Top CriticThis is the kind of tripe that wouldn’t get past a junior editor at a publishing house.
10/19/04
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