Life During Wartime

I didn’t see Todd Solandz’s Happiness, which this film is supposedly a quasi-sequel of. It works as a series of extended scenes of family members with dysfunctional lives. Most are, or were involved with, someone with a sexual deviancy (such as pedophilia), which has had long lasting effects. There are some compelling scenes, particularly the one where the pedophile man, having been released from prison, confronts his college-aged son. While his crimes are unforgiveable, the son still has concern for his father and, touchingly, the father has concerns for his son. Particularly, he’s concerned that his son does not take after him. Only after questioning the son on his sexuality and fantasies is he reassured that he is not consumed by the same demons. Then he leaves, never to be seen again. It’s that kind of movies: no answers, but questions that make you think. The whole may not be as good as the sum of its parts, but those parts (the good, effective scenes) are worth it. (6.5/10)