As we’ve noted in previous posts, Life During Wartime picks up the plot threads that were left in shredded at the end of Happiness 12 years ago, and weaves the unraveled lives into new patterns of evolving relationships. All the roles are played by new cast members, so it might be interesting to take a look at how they match up, Then and Now. The character roster for this quasi-sequel eliminates all the surnames (so Joy Jordan is now simply Joy; Bill Maplewood now goes by Bill, just Bill). Whether this has any significance in understanding the roles as something more abstract and universal is just one of the fascinating aspects to consider as electrical arcs spark between the two movies.
Jane Adams …………….. Joy Jordan ………… Shirley Henderson
Jon Lovitz …………….. Andy Kornbluth ………… Paul Reubens (?)*
Philip Seymour Hoffman ….. Allen …………….Michael K. Williams
Dylan Baker ………….. Bill Maplewood ………….. Ciar√°n Hinds
Lara Flynn Boyle ……… Helen Jordan ……………Ally Sheedy
Justin Elvin ………….. Timmy Maplewood ……. Dylan Riley Snyder
Cynthia Stevenson …. Trish Maplewood ……….. Allison Janney
Lila Glantzman-Leib .. Chloe Maplewood ……….. Emma Hinz
Rufus Read ………….. Billy Maplewood ……… Chris Marquette
Louise Lasser …………. Mona Jordan …………. Ren√©e Taylor
………………………………Jacqueline …………..Charlotte Rampling
………………………………Waitress ………………. Rosalind Ruff
………………………………..Harvey ……………… Michael Learner
…………………………………Mark ………………….. Rich Pecci
Ben Gazzara ………….. Lenny Jordan
Molly Shannon …………… Nancy
*(Not sure if all characters with the same name are the same individuals.)