Writer-director Todd Solondz's worldview is on full display inLife During Wartime, and both the outlook and the landscape are bleak. This is a film whose sundry behaviors include pedophilia, homophobia, suicide, kids popping antidepressants, and rampant lying, not to mention buckets of tears; and while there is much talk of forgiveness, there's very little of it actually to be found. Most of the action involves three sisters who first appeared (played by different actresses) in Solondz'sHappiness(1998) and continue to take the fun out of dysfunctional in this one. Trish (Allison Janney) has told her three kids that their dad (Ciaran Hinds) is dead, when in fact he's been in prison for molesting young boys. The ironically named Joy (Shirley Henderson) is a walking rain cloud who darkens every path she crosses, especially those trod by the men in her life; and Helen (Ally Sheedy) is a Hollywood writer whose heights of success are matched by the depth of her neuroses. While there isn't much in the way of plot, per se, the film depicts various developments in the characters' lives: Trish's relationship with a new guy, youngest son Timmy's preparation for his bar mitzvah, Dad's release from prison and tentative steps to reenter the real world. Those familiar with Solondz's earlier movies won't be surprised to discover that none of these scenarios plays out very happily, and there's no doubt that the director's work is not for ...
view wiki
