Happiness (1998)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Todd Solondz

Writer:

Todd Solondz (writer)

Release Date:

16 October 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

Three middle-class New Jersey sisters all have their problems with their families and sex lives.

Plot Keywords:

Sister | Restaurant | Marriage | Parent | New Jersey

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Jane Adams	...	Joy Jordan
Jon Lovitz	...	Andy Kornbluth
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Allen
Dylan Baker	...	Bill Maplewood
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Helen Jordan
Justin Elvin	...	Timmy Maplewood
Cynthia Stevenson	...	Trish Maplewood
Lila Glantzman-Leib	...	Chloe Maplewood
Gerry Becker	...	Psychiatrist
Rufus Read	...	Billy Maplewood
Louise Lasser	...	Mona Jordan
Ben Gazzara	...	Lenny Jordan
Camryn Manheim	...	Kristina
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Detective Berman
Molly Shannon	...	Nancy

Also Known As:

Todd Solondz's Untitled (USA) (working title)
Felicidad (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
Felicidade (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
A boldogságtól ordítani (Hungary) [hu]
Bonheur (France) (subtitle) [fr]
Eftyhia (Greece) [el]
Happiness (France) [fr]
Happiness - Felicità (Italy) [it]
Happiness - Onni (Finland) (video title) [fi]
Onni (Finland) [fi]
Osher (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]

MPAA:

Rating surrendered; previously rated NC-17.

Runtime:

134 min | USA:141 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Alberta/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Singapore:R21 | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Italy:VM18 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating: 1999) | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 1999)

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Company:

Good Machine

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Todd Solondz]as the doorman in Allen, Helen, and Kristina's building.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The number on top of Vlad's taxi is 5C19, while the license plate number is 8H69. On an actual New York City taxi, these numbers would match.

Quotes:

Helen Jordan: Y'know, people are always putting New Jersey down. None of my friends can believe I live here. But that's because they don't get it: I'm living in a state of irony.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: SexTV: Uncovered (#7.30)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Happiness

Solondz is one of the best American directors working today. Period.

I don't want to waste time analyzing the plot since others have covered it so well... Basically here we have a Robert Altman-esquire pastiche of characters stemming from a seemingly normal family, plus others who come into their lives. Solondz sets them up and examines their lives, their dreams, their interactions and their facades. What's important is that he doesn't JUDGE these people. And even more importantly, he doesn't condescend to his audience. Like it or not, the people in this movie do exist and I think viewers instantly realize that.

This movie stirs up such strange emotions. It's tough to admit that we may have something in common with a Suburban pedophile, a pathetic dreamer, a pretentious literary snob or a obscene telephone sex stalker and one of the most frightening ideas ever put on film is here: Solondz makes plausible the people we view as being "sick" or generally look down upon aren't that much different than us. They still want the same things we do. And he also questions the ideals America seems to hold most dear, like monogamy and morality. And yeah, happiness. How exactly DO you find happiness? Is ANYONE really happy?

I cannot recommend HAPPINESS enough (neither can I with the director's equally impressive and incisive WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE). It's just an extraordinary movie; surprisingly funny, intelligent, brutally honest, powerful, original and relevant. The cast is thoroughly excellent and Solondz follows his own compass at all times in both the scripting and directing department. He's a brave filmmaker and I really have a lot of admiration for directors and writers who stray away from the tired Hollywood blockbuster formula. Good for some popcorn, sure, but aren't you glad there's other stuff out there to choose from?

Reading some of the other reviews posted here I was surprised at the amount of negative comments. I guess this isn't for everyone out there. If you want a fun night of fantasy escapism or a brainless comedy, don't bother. But if you want a blisteringly funny dose of reality, then don't miss this! Definitely a top contender for My 10 Favorite Movies of the 1990s list.