Happy Tears
Happy Tears is a 2009 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein.[1] The film stars Parker Posey and Demi Moore as sisters Jayne and Laura, who return to their childhood home in Pittsburgh to care for their elderly father, Joe (Rip Torn), a widower exhibiting signs of dementia and eccentric behavior.[2] Despite their contrasting lifestyles—Jayne's bohemian existence and Laura's more structured suburban life—the sisters navigate family tensions, uncover buried secrets, and contend with Joe's new girlfriend, Shelly (Ellen Barkin), amid hints of a hidden family treasure.[1] Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 11, 2009, it received a limited U.S. theatrical release on February 19, 2010, and explores themes of familial dysfunction, aging, and reconciliation with a runtime of 95 minutes.[3] The film holds an IMDb rating of 5.2/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 29% (as of November 2025), noted for its quirky humor and strong performances, particularly by Rip Torn.[2]Film Synopsis and Characters
Plot
Jayne and Laura, two sisters with contrasting lifestyles, reunite at their childhood home in Pittsburgh to care for their ailing father, Joe, a lively widower exhibiting early signs of dementia and increasingly erratic behavior. Laura, the older and more pragmatic sister who lives in San Francisco with her family, has been monitoring Joe's decline and insists on immediate intervention, while Jayne, the younger, free-spirited and affluent sister married to an art dealer, arrives impulsively after a shopping spree and initially downplays the severity of the situation. Upon arrival, they discover Joe living with Shelly, a woman posing as a caregiver but actually a drug addict exploiting his vulnerability for money and drugs. The sisters quickly clash over how to handle Joe's care, with Laura taking on the burdensome tasks of managing his daily needs, while Jayne's bohemian chaos—marked by her denial and distractions—exacerbates the tension.[4][5][6] As the days unfold, Joe's poignant yet humorous antics highlight the family's dysfunction: he stubbornly refuses to leave his home, insisting he can manage alone. The sisters' sibling rivalry intensifies, rooted in their differing approaches—Laura's uptight perfectionism driving her to organize Joe's life, versus Jayne's avoidance through shopping and escapism—while they uncover family secrets, including Joe's past affairs that Laura had shielded Jayne from during their childhood. Shelly's deception is exposed when her crack addiction surfaces, prompting the sisters to force her out after a confrontation. Amid these revelations, Joe mentions a buried treasure in the backyard, sparking a frantic search that temporarily unites the family but underscores his mental deterioration. The narrative explores themes of aging parents and unresolved childhood resentments, with surreal elements like Jayne's anxiety-driven hallucinations adding layers to the emotional strain.[5][6][7] The climax builds to a heated family confrontation where long-buried grievances erupt, including discussions of Joe's infidelity and the sisters' protective dynamics growing up, forcing them to confront their imperfect family history. As Joe's health rapidly worsens and doctors indicate he has little time left, the sisters debate his future—whether to place him in a nursing home or relocate him to San Francisco with Jayne—leading to raw arguments over responsibility and love. Moments of tentative bonding emerge, such as sharing marijuana and reminiscing, culminating in reconciliation through cathartic "happy tears" that signify emotional release from years of caregiving burdens and rivalry. The film concludes with the family achieving a fragile harmony, as Joe accepts limited help and the sisters strengthen their bond, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and the bittersweet nature of familial duty.[4][5][6]Cast
The principal cast of Happy Tears centers on the sibling rivalry and familial bonds between the two leads, whose contrasting personalities drive the emotional core of the story. Parker Posey stars as Jayne, the disorganized and impulsive younger sister whose quirky decisions often exacerbate family tensions, while Demi Moore plays Laura, the uptight and controlling older sister frustrated by the ongoing chaos in their childhood home. Their on-screen chemistry, highlighted by Posey's neurotic energy juxtaposed with Moore's restrained poise, effectively underscores the ensemble's exploration of reconciliation and dysfunction.[8][9] Rip Torn portrays Joe, the sisters' eccentric father whose dementia-fueled whimsy, including unpredictable outbursts and hidden secrets, forces the family to confront their past. Supporting the leads are Christian Camargo as Jackson, Jayne's wealthy but unraveling husband whose distant support influences her choices; Sebastian Roché as Laurent, Laura's sophisticated French husband who provides a stabilizing yet detached presence amid the turmoil; Ellen Barkin as Shelly, Joe's live-in girlfriend whose erratic behavior amplifies the household's instability; and Billy Magnussen as Ray, a local family friend whose involvement offers moments of levity. In a smaller role, Patti D'Arbanville appears as Joe's nurse, contributing to the caregiving dynamics without overshadowing the central ensemble.[10][11]| Actor | Role | Contribution to Ensemble Dynamics |
|---|---|---|
| Parker Posey | Jayne | Impulsive younger sister whose free-spirited chaos clashes with family expectations, sparking conflicts and growth.[9] |
| Demi Moore | Laura | Controlling older sister whose frustration with disorder highlights the sisters' opposing approaches to crisis.[8] |
| Rip Torn | Joe | Eccentric father with dementia whose whimsical yet burdensome traits unite and divide the family unit.[2] |
| Christian Camargo | Jackson | Jayne's husband, whose emotional distance adds external pressure to her impulsive decisions. |
| Sebastian Roché | Laurent | Laura's husband, offering a contrast of composure that tempers her controlling nature.[10] |
| Ellen Barkin | Shelly | Joe's girlfriend, whose self-destructive tendencies intensify the household's comedic and dramatic friction.[11] |
| Billy Magnussen | Ray | Family friend whose affable involvement provides relief within the group.[10] |