What Happened Was. . . Movie Review 1994

Two-character study about a weirdly nightmarish first date. Law secretary Jackie (Sillas) has been eyeing bookish paralegal Michael (Noonan) and finally invites him for dinner at her loft. The two struggle to relax and make small talk that turns into some unexpected soul baring. Emotionally distant Michael is unexpectedly hostile about his job and claims to be writing an expose of their law firm while overly friendly Jackie is writing a children's book, which turns out to be jarringly violent and apparently autobiographical. Provides an idiosyncratic, if limited, appeal thanks to a compelling performance by Sillas.

Distribution

Hallmark Home Entertainment, 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (213)634-3000, Fax: (213)549-3760, Remarks: Lainie Handelman, Mktg.

Available on VHS
Running time 92 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Only the Lonely, Dates from Hell

Screenplay

Tom Noonan

Cast

Tom Noonan, Karen Sillas

Cinematography

Joe DeSalvo

Director

Tom Noonan

Music

Lodovico Sorret

Producer

Robin O'Hara, Scott Macaulay, Ted Hope, James Schamus, Samuel Goldwyn Company

Awards

Sundance 1994: Screenplay, Grand Jury Prize.