Happythankyoumoreplease

6.8/10 Droops

Genre: Comedy
Rated: R
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
In Theaters: Mar 4, 2011 Limited
Directed By: Josh Radnor
Written By: Josh Radnor

Happythankyoumoreplease (yes, that is the correct spelling) tells a series of detached yet subtly intertwined stories involving a group of twentysomethings living in New York City (of course). With three alternating stories filling the hour and 38 minutes on screen, we learn about a struggling writer who happens upon a young child on the subway, his best fried, a woman coping from alopecia and searching for love, and young couple dealing with the troubles of relationships and contemplating their future together.

Josh Randor (How I Met Your Mother) appears as a triple threat in Happythankyoumoreplease, directing, writing, and starring in a solid debut on the silver screen. Randor, alongside Malin Akerman (Watchmen), Kate Mara (127 Hours), and Tony Hale (Arrested Development) all deliver strong performances. At timesHappythankyoumoreplease comes off as an “actor’s” movie, which it is, and this fact doesn’t take away from the film, rather it appears to enhance the actors’ portrayals, which come as off comfortable and relaxed on screen, making the film believable and the characters immediately likeable.

Above all else, Happythankyoumoreplease is a comfortable comedy, finding all these actors in their element considering their cinematic histories. Filled with quick quips and natural dialogue (for the most part), Happy at times invokes the comedy stylings of Woody Allen during his mid-career boom. While the elements of filmmaking may not all be there, Randor’s clear admiration for the Big Apple and his approach to the film (writing, directing, and starring) are reminiscent of Allen’s prime. One aspect that is very non-Allen is the lack of the signature pessimistic protagonist. Happy presents a group of well-written, interesting, engaging characters whose biggest issues seem to be that they are “suburban kid[s] with good parents.”

Overall, the film has some faults, but none that truly take away from the stories being told on screen (but honestly, how do these kids living in NYC get such lush apartments without jobs, or financial woes?). Much like the indie hit (500) Days of Summer, Happythankyoumoreplease will have a niche audience built in upon its release, but unlike Summer, Happy delivers more in the category of rounded, thoroughly enjoyable characters. The film doesn’t tie up all of its loose ends, but the effect gives it a hint of charm and leaves you happy, wanting moreplease.

-Hunter Freiburg