What Happens Later Parent Guide

Willa (Meg Ryan) is flying from Austin to Boston. Bill (David Duchovny) is flying from Boston to Austin. Somewhere in the middle of these two destinations, a terrible snowstorm occurs, forcing their respective planes to land at an unnamed airport.

While the unexpected delay is inconvenient, it doesn’t compare to the discomfort each of them feels when they spot their ex-lover. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Willa and Bill make small talk about the twenty plus years that have passed since they last met. Willa grumbles about the aches and pains of getting old. Bill complains about a boss who is half his age. Both are vague about their present circumstances. Yet as the layover lengthens, the polite conversation gives way to criticisms, arguments and hurt feelings over unresolved issues from their shared past.

Normally I really enjoy dialogue-heavy movies that examine human relationships. But this one left me feeling like I too had been stuck in an airport for too long. It is obvious from the get-go that the film began as a play (Shooting Star). It is always a challenge to invent interesting visuals when adapting stage to screen, and this effort provides awkward blocking and terrible transitions. The script boasts only two characters (three if you count the unseen airport announcer voiced by Hal Liggett). Although that gives Ryan and Duchovny lots of camera time (perhaps the goal for these fading luminaries?), it also results in tedious talking and a plodding plot. Nor does it help that Meg Ryan stars in, directs, and co-writes the script. (As well, she and David Duchovny are listed as executive producers.) The project would likely have benefited from an objective observer suggesting (at the very least) tighter edits.

Now if you are wondering how a rom-com that never leaves a public gathering place could achieve an R-rating, you will be glad to know it is not the sexual content. The screenplay consists only of handholding and a couple of kisses, along with discussions about infidelity, open relationships, and unwed pregnancies. There is also some alcohol consumption and drunken behavior. The objectional material responsible for the strong warning are a depiction of illegal marijuana use and the utterance of fourteen strong sexual expletives (one of which is used in a sexual context). These inclusions seem unnecessary and come across as if they are there simply to add some “maturity” to a story that is clearly trying to attract middle-aged adults.

As Willa and Bill unpack their baggage, the former couple do share a few platitudes and the occasional moment of deeper introspection. However, most of the empathy these revelations are intended to engender are drowned out listening to the pair bicker. And after 105 minutes of that, who cares what happens later.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.