The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

Year: 2014

Runtime: 83 min

Language: English

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

DramaComedy

Henry Altmann is a man known for his perpetual grumpiness and misanthropy. He receives alarming news from Dr. Sharon Gill: his constant anger is about to have serious consequences. Given only 90 minutes to change his ways, Henry must confront his mortality and attempt to make amends with the people he has hurt. This leads him on a surprising journey of self-discovery and ultimately, redemption.

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As Henry Altmann’s day kicks off with a terrifying incident in Brooklyn traffic, his temper ignites, leaving a taxi driver utterly terrified. This explosive moment serves as the catalyst for a profound journey of introspection and redemption, as he encounters a series of life-changing events.

At the hospital, Dr. Sharon Gill finds herself covering for Henry’s regular physician, who also happens to be her secret lover. While examining his scans, she delivers the unsettling news of Henry’s brain aneurysm, accompanied by a grim prognosis. In response to this life-altering revelation, Henry erupts in a torrent of abusive words directed at Sharon. Despite her attempts to sidestep the question, he relentlessly inquires about his remaining time. Overcome by anxiety, Sharon inadvertently declares he has a mere 90 minutes left, prompting Henry to storm out in a furious haze.

Following the shocking diagnosis, Henry’s rising anger spills onto those around him. His estranged wife, Bette, finds herself on the receiving end when he catches her in a compromising situation with their neighbor. Meanwhile, Sharon is left grappling with the repercussions of her careless remarks, coming to the painful realization that Henry’s life teeters on a razor’s edge.

Henry’s quest for redemption leads him to his family law office, where he barges into a meeting involving his brother Aaron and clients. In a contemplative moment, he poses a significant question about what a person with only 90 minutes left should do—leading one of the clients to suggest sharing one final intimate moment with their partner. This touching inquiry sends Henry on an introspective journey, desperately striving to reconnect with those who matter.

As Sharon, filled with remorse for her earlier actions, seeks out Henry and confides in Aaron about the diagnosis, we uncover that Henry was once a joyful and loving individual. The loss of his son Peter two years prior profoundly impacted his spirit, providing essential context for his current emotional turmoil as he approaches his final days.

With an increasing desire for atonement, Henry reaches out to his surviving son Tommy, whom he has always disapproved of for choosing a career as a professional dancer. In a heartfelt moment, he creates a recording expressing his love and regret for not being there for him in the past. However, fueled by unresolved anger, he loses consciousness.

When Henry awakens, he finds himself perilously perched on the Brooklyn Bridge, teetering between hope and despair. Just in time, Sharon arrives, offering heartfelt apologies for her previous errors and admitting she has no way of knowing about Henry’s true time limit. Filled with urgency and fervor, she pleads with him not to end his own life, knowing the profound impact such an act would have on everyone around him, including herself.

As Henry’s determination to reconcile with his family grows stronger, he bravely jumps off the bridge again. Sharon rushes to the riverbank and, after saving him, realizes this second chance has ignited a new purpose within him. With time fleeting, Henry implores Sharon to help him right past wrongs and join him on his path to happiness and redemption.

With only 19 minutes left to live, they rush to the Brooklyn Dancing Academy, where Tommy is lost in thought. In a moving moment of connection, Henry and Tommy engage in a beautiful dance, helping Henry discover peace amid the fleeting moments. During an intimate conversation with Sharon, Henry expresses his desire to fully embrace every moment and mend relationships with his loved ones.

As his energy fades, Henry collapses in Sharon’s arms—exhausted yet at peace. He spends his last days in the hospital cherishing precious moments with his family, sharing stories filled with love and tenderness with Tommy, Aaron, and Bette.

In the years that follow after Henry’s passing, a touching tribute to his life unfolds as his family gathers on a ferry. They celebrate his incredible journey and honor his memory by scattering his ashes into the East River. As they commemorate this bittersweet event, the ship’s captain implores them to respect the law, but they choose to honor Henry’s spirit by embracing freedom and rejecting convention, in his name.

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 17:57

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