CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.
Film Review: ‘Happythankyoumoreplease’ Falls Flat With Unlikable Characters
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CHICAGO – Josh Radnor’s “Happythankyoumoreplease” wants to be a new-generation Woody Allen film but misses the mark wildly by presenting characters that aren’t likable in situations that aren’t believable. None of the relationships that drive this awkward dramedy ring true and only a few supporting performances make the effort worthwhile as they highlight the weaknesses at the core of the manipulative script.
Radnor, known for playing Ted on CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” wrote, directed, and stars in a piece so blatantly shooting for memories of “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan” that it features a character literally discussing the career of Woody Allen in case it wasn’t clear enough. Radnor plays Sam Wexler, a very-slight variation on his Ted character in that he’s a creative guy who can’t quite get his sh*t together romantically or professionally. The film opens with him waking up late for an important interview and taking in a foster kid that he thinks was abandoned on a subway train.
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As Sam tries to figure out what to do with the charming urchin now attached to him, he crosses paths with the beautiful Mississippi (a movie-stealing Kate Mara) and the two decide to have a three-night stand instead of a one-night one. Can they overcome their bad dating patterns to stick together? What will Sam do with the foster kid he grows to love?
Meanwhile, “Happythankyoumoreplease” follows two other relationship tracks that are related to Sam’s. His good friend Annie (Malin Akerman) has been unlucky in love and finds herself practically stalked by a co-worker named Sam #2 (Tony Hale) who has clearly fallen head over heels for her. Sam’s cousin Mary Catherine (Zoe Kazan) has her own issues as her man Charlie (Pablo Schreiber) wants to move from NYC to Los Angeles, something that she desperately wants to avoid.
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Happythankyoumoreplease
Photo credit: Hannover House