Todd Solondz reprises the characters from his cult classic Happiness more than a decade later in this perfectly-honed sequel that ripples with acerbic wit while possessing a warmth and emotional register that makes it both a resounding follow-up and a successful stand-alone. Working with a completely new (and brilliant) cast, Solondz again follows the three Jordan sisters – Joy (Shirley Hendersen), Trish (Allison Janney) and Helen (Ally Sheedy) – and the complex unfolding of their relationships with men, children and parents.

Finding humour and deep sadness in the most unlikely situations (the scene between contemptuous Charlotte Rampling and sheepish Ciaran Hinds is priceless), Life During Wartime pivots on the theme of forgiveness and how to find or enact it when the guilty party might be a father with pederast tendencies or a terrorist who had a reason. Solondz’s consistently incisive dissection of suburban American life tackles untouchable issues like paedophilia, suicide and perversion with a curiousity and verve that is audacious, uncomfortable and painfully honest.

'Bleakly hilarious' – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

'Both tragic and comic' – Allan Hunter, The Daily Express.

Winner Best Screenplay Venice Film Festival 2009

Australian Premiere

Visit the Life During Wartime website

Also available as General Admission in the Stalls for Saturday 5 June at 10:00 AM - 1022.

FREE TALK
SAT 5 JUN 12pm Statement Lounge

Film writer Ruth Hessey talks to lead actor Shirley Henderson and producer Christine K Walker about Life During Wartime, working with Todd Solondz and their impressive individual careers.

This talk is immediately following the 10am screening of Life During Wartime at the State Theatre on Saturday 5 June.