"What Happened Was" is a movie for those who liked "My Dinner With Andre." It's adult entertainment in the best sense.The film consists, except for a few brief moments without dialogue at the beginning, of a dinner and post-dinner conversation between a secretary and a paralegal at their law firm. She has been attracted to him and hopes the dinner will bring them closer. It does, but in ways she did not intend. He is an older law school dropout who has charmed her at work with his witty sarcasm directed at the lawyers. Both are lonely losers, and a Hollywood film would have them find love and happiness in each other's arms. But this Sundance winner, written and directed by Tom Noonan, who also plays the male role, is entirely more realistic; thus, it's less satisfying emotionally but more stimulating intellectually. Noonan's character, Michael, full of tics and hesitations, is hard to like.You will find yourself saying, out loud, perhaps,"Tell that nerd to go home and find yourself someone else!" Karen Sillases Jackie is easier to root for. She is yin to Michael's yang, and the point of view of the film is largely hers. Only at the very end do you find out a bit about what makes Michael tick (npi). It is hard to think of a protagonist as feckless as Michael; you'd have to go back to Oblomov. He should remind you of at least one professor you suffered under. Hey! Maybe that's reason NOT to watch the film.
Review of What Happened Was...
