Parents' Guide to

Another Happy Day

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Intense, mature drama excavates too many family skeletons.

Movie R 2011 115 minutes
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Kids say (1):

Soaking in portent, ANOTHER HAPPY DAY carries its enormous weight on its sleeve. Nearly every single character is unhappy in this movie, clobbered by everything from angst to deep trauma, and pretty much everything in between. The performances are strong, the epiphanies weighty, but sometimes it all feels just a little too much -- a pity, considering the investments that the actors have made in their performances.

The movie is so crowded with tragedy that it all blends together, blunting the impact. Elliot's storyline, for instance, has so much potential, but it ends up feeling like another sad teen-with-drug-addiction-issue problem, despite his smart dialogue. Nonetheless, it's still a memorable experience to witness Barkin and Burstyn sharing the screen; acting aficionados will swoon.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: November 18, 2011
  • On DVD or streaming: January 24, 2012
  • Cast: Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin, Ellen Burstyn
  • Director: Sam Levinson
  • Studio: Phase 4 Films
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 115 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: drug/alcohol abuse, pervasive language including sexual references, and brief graphic nudity
  • Last updated: March 25, 2023

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