What Happens Later (2023)

What Happens Later (2023). 1h 45m | R

“Greetings again from the darkness. Meg Ryan will forever be linked to her popular and beloved romantic comedies, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989) and SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1989). She wore the crown of u0026quot;Americau0026#39;s Sweetheartu0026quot; for years, and then after years of hard work, she pumped the breaks on her acting career, resurfacing periodically for a TV or film role, often in support. In 2015 she took her first shot at directing with ITHACA, in which she also starred, and now after an 8 year big screen absence, sheu0026#39;s back as writer-director-producer and star of a film that harkens back much closer to her rom-com roots.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA massive winter storm rolls in – a Bomb Cyclone with Snow Thunder. This grounds all planes at a regional airport (it was filmed at the airport near Bentonville, Arkansas) where ex-lovers Willa (Meg Ryan) and Bill (David Duchovny) bump into each other for the first time since they broke up twenty-five years ago. Initial awkward small talk soon transitions into u0026#39;largeu0026#39; talk, and the two fall into rhythmic banter befitting of two who were at one time very close. Heu0026#39;s a stockbroker on the way to Austin to meet with his demanding, much younger boss, and sheu0026#39;s a wellness practitioner on her way to Boston. For emphasis, he wears a dark business suit and necktie, while she sports clunky boots and bouncy hair.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhat follows is a passive-aggressive twist on Richard Linklateru0026#39;s u0026quot;Beforeu0026quot; trilogy. In the industry, this is called a two-hander, as there are only two speaking parts – not counting the slyly intrusive airport PA announcer (credited as Hal Liggett?) – and the two characters carry on a conversation for most of the run time. Ms. Ryan wrote the script with Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn and based it on Dietzu0026#39;s play, u0026quot;Shooting Star.u0026quot; Itu0026#39;s a dialogue heavy approach designed to let us get to know the characters, but also allow Willa and Bill to catch up as they re-live moments from the past. Some of this is painful for them, and some of it provides previously lacking clarity. Memories and quirks pop up, and the manner in which they are addressed speaks volumes to how close these two once were. We learn their secrets as they each peel back layers.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTom Pettyu0026#39;s lyrics, u0026quot;Most of the things I worry about never happen anywayu0026quot; are utilized to effect here, and missed connections has multiple meanings. With Meg Ryan and David Duchovny past the 60 year mark, this isnu0026#39;t one of the cutesy rom-coms weu0026#39;ve grown accustomed to with twenty-somethings. These are grown-ups who once shared dreams and are now taking stock of life and reality. Even the commentary on society is head-on rather than cleverly disguised as is common for this genre. Director Ryan and cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek insert more than a few falling snowflake shots, and the point is driven home about just how much has occurred since these two became a couple while attending the University of Wisconsin. As a writer, director, and actor, Meg Ryan certainly is in her wheelhouse here, and fittingly, she ends with a u0026quot;For Norau0026quot; tribute to her late friend and mentor, Nora Ephron.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOpens in theaters on November 3, 2023.”