Happiness (1998) DVD

Starring	Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson, Dylan Baker
Director	Todd Solondz
Genres	Drama

Happiness

Building on the darkly comic angst of WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, Todd Solondz's HAPPINESS conveys suburban desperation and frustration on a larger scale than his previous film. The ensemble cast of characters centers around the lives of three sisters: Joy (Jane Adams), an awkward, naive, and unlucky musician; Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle), a beautiful, self-obsessed writer; and Trish (Cynthia Stevenson), a conservative housewife who is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist harboring an unhealthy fascination for young boys. Other dysfunctional characters include the sisters' unhappy parents, Lenny and Mona Jordan (Ben Gazzara and Louise Lasser), and the lonely, sex-obsessed Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who lives next to Helen and goes to Bill for therapy.

At once both scathingly funny and shockingly bleak, HAPPINESS addresses subjects that most films are afraid to touch, including pedophilia and masturbation. Unapologetic and unflinching, Solondz's film features bold performances from the entire cast and makes for uneasy but intriguing viewing as it peers behind the fragile facade of the American dream.

Starring	Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson, Dylan Baker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jon Lovitz, Louise Lasser, Ben Gazzara, Camryn Manheim, Jared Harris, Justin Elvin
Director	Todd Solondz
Studio	ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO
Run time	DVD: 2 hrs 14 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama
Language	DVD: English
Released	DVD: 15 May 2000 Production year: 1998

Critics' reviews (5) of Happiness
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Todd Solondz's stunningly acted and brilliantly scripted film looks at the extraordinary lives of a group of men and women who engage in shocking antisocial behaviour, including obscene phone calls, murder and paedophilia. What's so amazing about this tragicomedy is its lack of moral judgement — the viewers are left to make up their own minds about the events — and its pungent humour that emerges from the sickest of circumstances. You may even feel pity for these people and get drawn into their lives — though the film's most controversial scene (the frankest of discussions between an unlikely child molester and his inquisitive son) will play on your mind for days.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A bleak drama, verging on the misanthropic but lightened by a cutting wit, on the unsuccessful pursuit of happiness, and the subsequent discovery of the joylessness of sex and the damage that people can do to one another in unsatisfactory relationships.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful member's review of Happiness
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28 out of 33 people found this review helpful

A Modern Masterpiece!

'Happiness' is quite simply one of the most upsetting, challenging and hilarious films you will ever see. Not for those who are easily offended but then... more

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- - Phil McMahon from Hornchurch, Essex
  - Posted 12 Dec 2004 17:46
Most recent members' review of Happiness
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

disturbing

really awful movie, tried to pull off the whole indie thing, but is just really a disturbing movie, didn't even watch to the end.

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- - A customer from London
  - Posted 22 Jul 2008 10:25
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