happythankyoumoreplease

US, 2010, 100 minutes, Colour.
Josh Radnor, Malin Akerman, Michael Algieri, Kate Mara, Zoe Kazan, Tony Hale, Pablo Schreiber, Richard Jenkins.
Directed by Josh Radner.

Happythankyoumoreplease is a story of three couples in New York City, all around the thirty mark. The film shows the woes and the messes that these individuals have in their lives – but the thrust of the film is towards commitment and to happy endings. Learning by experience.

The film was written and directed by Josh Radnor who appears as Sam. He is an ingratiating screen presence, akin to John Krasinski, of the self-deprecating style. He is matched by Malin Akerman as someone suffering from a disease, trying to cope with life. His partner is Kate Mara, a singer from Mississippi whose life is in a mess.

The complication with Sam is that on his way to an interview he took pity on a young African American boy in the subway, only to find that the boy wanted to stay with him. He keeps the boy, against the advice of his friends, finally going to the welfare officer and then being arrested. However, he is bailed out – and this has a happy ending as well. There is his cousin Mary Catherine (Zoe Kazan) who depends on her relationship with Charlie (Pablo Schreiber). She becomes pregnant, he proposes without knowing this, she thinking that he wants to leave her. Ultimately, the pregnancy brings them together.

Annie (Malin Akerman) is stalked at work by an older rather geeky man. However, we have judged on appearances. He takes photos of her and when she sees them, she changes her mind about him, goes out with him, they are able to talk at a deeper level and he declares his love for her.

Familiar material, a touch of the young Woody Allen (and some jokes at Woody Allen’s expense about making a film every year).

1. Romantic comedy? For thirtysomethings? American style?

2. The New York settings, the apartments, the streets, offices, restaurants, the subway? Authentic? The contrast with driving around LA? The musical score – and the range of songs and their commentary on the characters and the situations?

3. The title, Annie’s explanation to Sam 2? A hopeful outlook?

4. Audiences identifying with the characters, those of their age, younger audiences, older audiences – and the demand for a bit of tolerance?

5. The lifestyle of the characters, their values, relationships, jobs, commitment and lack of commitment, lives in a mess, life-changing experiences?

6. Sam, getting up, late for his interview, his writing the novel, his background of short stories? Annie on the phone, giving him her advice, tucking the shirt in? On the subway, his seeing Rasheen? Helping him, taking him to the authorities, his decision, concern, going to his meeting, the editor not being interested? On the street with Rasheen afterwards, noticing Mississippi?

7. His decision to keep Rasheen, Rasheen not talking much, the bond between the two, life at home, Rasheen’s drawings and Sam’s amazement? Noticing Mississippi in the street, going into the diner, explaining that he was a Big Brother? Later having to admit his lie? Going to Annie’s party, her speech about her illness, taking Rasheen? Mary Catherine and her negative reaction?

8. The bond with the two, the best friend, drawing, the friends giving advice, going to the shop for Mary Catherine and getting the paints, the further paintings?

9. Sam and his decision to go to the welfare officer, the interview, walking out, the police arriving, in the car, bailed, the foster home – and finding Rasheen again?

10. Mississippi, coming from the South, her work at the bar, her singing career, talking with Sam, liking him? Going home, her resistance, his persuading her to stay three days, the contract and conditions? The key? Her going out, coming back – and wondering whether Sam was interested? Her singing, Sam’s presence? Her blunt talk to Sam in the street, calling him a child?

11. Mary Catherine, her friendship with Sam, her dependence on Charlie, his being in California, phoning, driving around, his return? At the party? Her life in a mess? Her dependence on Charlie? Talking with Sam at the shop, advising him about Rasheen? Charlie’s proposal, her being taken aback, her negative reaction? Her pregnancy, going to the doctor? Whispering the truth to Charlie? Each prepared to give up their plans for the other? Love and commitment?

12. Annie, her illness, relationships, Ira and his contact, spending the night with him, the discussions pro and con, his saying that he was seeing another woman – her disillusionment?

13. Sam 2, nerdish, on her floor, snapping the photos, seeming to stalk her, her resistance? Looking at his portfolio of photos – their quality? Her being impressed? Consenting to go out, the meals, the talk, his declaration of love, asking her to shut her eyes, her really listening? Hopes for the future? Her explanation of Sam 2 to Sam?

14. A cross-section of New York thirtysomethings, ordinary or not? Living in the city, their struggles?

15. Finally feelgood, with hope and commitment?