Wise Up

“For my money, one of the best scenes in any movie ever. Which I have found to be, especially after moving to LA and befriending many in the industry, an extremely controversial take. The frogs and the singalong are triggers apparently. Every one of our nine (!) leads take turns on Aimee Mann's gorgeous rock bottom anthem. They all are in the process of acknowledging patterns of self destruction, of trauma and of their responsibility in the cycle. It is a stunning moment of surreal connection for the cast. There is another incredible example in the film — this bar scene soundtracked by "Goodbye Stranger". The lyrics perfectly encapsulate what Donnie is going through, in a desperate struggle to move beyond his childhood 15 minutes by getting braces and falling in love. He just wants love and is willing to do anything, including what his own parents did to him, to find it.”