The Upside of Anger: A Tangled Family Tale

Alright, so “The Upside of Anger” — it’s a film that feels like a cozy mismash of chaos, much like a Swedish family dinner where everyone’s overcooked the köttbullar but the lingonberry sauce is spot on. You get what I mean? Directed by Mike Binder, who also stars in it, the movie is like this bittersweet röra with a sprinkle of humor and a dollop of drama.

Now, I’m standing there in my kitchen making tacos, of all things, when I watch this film with Joan Allen playing Terry Ann Wolfmeyer. Ah, Joan Allen — like the IKEA of actresses: versatile and never lets you down. She’s this fiery mother of four who suddenly channels her inner Viking when her husband does a Swedish exit. Kevin Costner pops in as Denny Davies, the charming neighbor, a former baseball player — a bit like Zlatan with a baseball bat, if you can imagine that.

The plot is sort of like walking across a patch of Swedish ice in March — unpredictable and occasionally slippery. One moment you’re laughing at life’s absurdities, the next, it hits you with the sharp sting of reality. But here’s the kicker: it kinda works. The emotional turbulence somehow balances out, with moments of tenderness and wit scattered like lingonberries in a forest.

To me, the film’s real ja is in its exploration of anger and the messy, unexpected ways people grow and react. Reminds me when I lost my rag over a game of Brännboll — I thought it was the end of the world, and I’m sure the neighbors heard more Swedish cuss words than they’d care to repeat.

Is it a perfect film? Nah, far from it. But maybe that’s part of its charm. Sometimes, the upside of anger is just letting it roll over you, like a good cry or a cathartic hockey match. Just grab your mood-lifting kanelbulle and enjoy the ride.

Check the trailer below