Rating: 
Summary: As Maltin says, a remarkable film.
Review: It's hard to critique a movie like Happiness without soundinglike a Moral Majority Type What galled me about Happiness was not its unflinching look at perversions, but its complete lack of plot or point. My friends and I watched this movie for what seemed like 4 hours to find that no, it hadn't been following any sort of narrative thrust. The second flaw is the more deadly of the two (Pulp Fiction didn't really have a plot, and it was great). Solondz doesn't seem to have anything interesting to say, here, except "life sucks, doesn't it?" Every character is miserable and perverted in one way or the other; the overall effect is less revelation than tedious repetition. Solondz presents us with reprehensible characters doing disgusting things in seedy environments over and over again . . . it's about as revelatory as listening to fingernails on a chalkboard, and equally as pleasant. This isn't some exploration into the heart of mankind, it's superficial shock for shock's sake, uninventful exploitation. I can't bring myself to praise it simply because it offended people -- so did Showgirls, and Happiness has the same cheap heart. END
Rating: 
Summary: Shocking eye-opener
Review: This is one of those films that suddenly hit you, when you don't expect it. I would say that Happiness is a film in a Robert Altman style but with a very realistic touch. Altman's films are maybe less realistic because you recognize those famous actors and that's exactly the feeling that I did not have while watching Happiness. The film is very realistic and authentic to me, the way the actors mold their character and the way they relate to the others is superb and very non-selfish from an actor's point of view. What I am trying to say here, is that this is one of those rare films in which you can see people playing other people without noticing it's all worked out in a script. I'd like to mention David Lynch's masterwork, 'the Straight story', in which Sissy Spacek plays this stuttering daughter in a way that can only be described as heartbreaking realistic and very heartwarming at the same time. Some of the characters in Happiness did the same to me and that makes me say that this movie is a must-see. Although every viewer should be warned that there are some shocking moments and images, but they are all in place where they belong if you can take it. It is a movie about ordinary people living their ordinary, sometimes average life, and the way they are connected to eachother. Sometimes not knowing that they are connected, or will be connected at a certain moment in time, maybe in a certain place or brought together by people they both know. In this way, Happiness has some parallels with Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts', but Happiness stands out as a shocking, sometimes even funny but very present day in-depth look into people and their lives. Definitely Five Stars!
Rating: 
Summary: Shock value alone does not make for great cinema
Review: Maybe it's just me, but this film was pretty boring. The fact it's "shocking and daring" means bugger all when the film itself isn't all that great. It seems Todd came up with a half arsed film, then just threw the pederast and phone stalker in there to shock people out of realizing it. There were some funny parts, and the ending will surely make just about everybody reach for a vomit bag, but a lot of the parts in the middle were just dead. I'd recommend renting it first, just to see what you make of it. Much like The Bad Lt. it's amazing this film has the cult following it does.
Rating:
Summary: Squeamish? Easily offended? Leave now...
Review: While "American Beauty" painted its dysfunctional family in definably human shades, "Happiness", also a black comedy about an extended suburban family, reveals the darkest elements of human nature in explicit, repulsive detail. It's a tale of phone-sex addicts, paedophiles, wannabe rape victims, murderers, thieves and onanism-fixated adolescents. "Man About The House" it is not. While this sounds like an unbearable prospect (and for some viewers, it almost certainly will be), it's oddly hilarious and fitfully moving. Personal morals will be brought into question when the viewer finds himself sympathizing with a paedophile, but director Todd Solondz handles such taboos with sensitivity and a jet-black sense of humour. Performances, too, are top-notch. The ubiquitous Philip Seymour Hoffman is smartly cast as a Lara Flynn Boyle-neighbouring pervert, while Boyle herself is masterful as the slutty, self-centred elder sister. Crucially, no character is exactly how he or she might first appear, and here's where the film has its grimly fascinating fun. It's also fair to say that "Happiness" would be unbearable to watch were it not so damn funny. Witness the frumpy, overweight neighbour of Hoffman chomping strawberry ice cream, or the blasé reaction of Adams' workmates when she reveals that her ex-boyfriend has died. Even the scenes involving the paedophile (superbly acted by Dylan Baker) have a surreal humour about them, such as the sheer frustration he exhudes when trying to get his son's friend to eat a tranquiliser-coated tuna sandwich. The film's final scene involving a balcony, a dog, and a scantily-clad woman, while a hilarious denouement of such a downbeat film, is oddly moving in that it is the only genuine slice of happiness throughout the film. Now, that's subversive. Take heed, this film is not for the squeamish or the easily offended, but for those with an open mind and a gut for evil cynicism, toilet humour, and a respect for dangerous, risky cinema, "Happiness" comes as something of a revelation. A quiet, confrontational masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Short Cuts with grim subject matter
Review: There's no doubt that Todd Solondz is an immensely talented writer/director who doesn't shy away from making films filled with damaged,empty,disgusting characters.The type of person who has the facade of success but who are really just wasting away.It makes me uncomfortable and uneasy admitting that i thoroughly enjoyed this film,but i definitely did.What does that say about me that i thought this was a brilliantly written,directed,and acted film that entertained from start to finish.Some reviewers say that Solondz exploited and took pleasure in the characters' hopelessness and evil acts,and i agree he crossed the line in some scenes and went into unnecessary detail with regards to sexually explicit conversations Dylan Baker's character would have with his son played by Justin Elvin.I can't defend those aspects of the story as i believe they were utilized for sheer tittilation.Some things do not have to be said,and a more mature director would have found a way to broach some of this subject matter,which i feel is very important,without going into graphic detail.A movie called "The War Zone" dealt with similar themes but with more sublety and class.It's scary that there are pedophiles who will watch this film and get excited by some of these scenes and dialogue.It's Solondz responsibility as an director and person to avoid glamorizing pedophilia in the guise of simply pointing it out.The rest of the characters aren't as sickening as Baker's but there still revolting.Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a virtual hermit whose social life consists almost entirely of making random obscene phone calls to women and,well,you know the rest.Jane Adams is a confused young women who just can't get it right with men.She consistently picks men who will use her for sex,or whatever else they may want.Lara Flynn Boyle(the Joker's main squeeze)plays her sister,a woman with ice in her vains and vanity that knows no bounds.The third sister,played by Cynthia Stevenson,is the loving housewife,who loves her husband so much she does'nt realize what a vile,disgusting creature he is,and that he's a sexual predator of young boys.Jon Lovitz in a brief cameo plays a jilted lover in the opening scene,a scene i feel is one of the funniest in the film.Ben Gazzara and Louise Lasser play the parents of the three sisters.It's the typical married couple don't excite each other anymore sexually subplot i've seen countless times before.It's the weakest link in the film.What i was left with was that if you love someone too much you might fail to see how degenerate and evil they've become,and that when you finally except who you are ,that even a sad sack or lost soul can find "Happiness".If you can overlook some absolutely disgusting dialogue this film delivers the goods.A definite purchase for people who love character driven ensemble pieces with wonderful acting.Beware:Watch At Your Own Risk.
Rating:
Summary: Comment
Review: I have to disagree with the amazon.com review which states that the pedophile in this film is portrayed in a semi-sympathetic light. If what this review means is that the audience tends to pity him as an obviously disturbed and confused individual, then it is correct--but that is pity, and not sympathy. Sympathy implies "feeling with" (which suggests equality), whereas to pity is to view someone or something from a distance, from a higher stance (in this case, most pointedly, a moral stance). Most of the characters in this film are loathsome (and in a pitch-black comedy, they should be) and others are only pathetic (like the overweight neighbor-murderess, the obscene phone caller, and the youngest sister, Joy). While the audience may relate to certain aspects of their personalities because they are human and we are human, I don't think it's a realistic temptation to sympathize with them.
Rating:
Summary: Art or Obscene
Review: Like many other people, I think that this movie forced me to evaluate my system of value in terms of art. In one way, I can view this film as a success. Anything that makes one confront their judgements and artistic values must be valuable. Yet I cannot recommend this movie. My opinion of art, which is what this movie aspires to be, is something that attempts to reach and grasp the sublime, the more-than-human, the nearer-to-something-greater. Art should be a way in which we try to become something more. Art may be difficult. It may challenge us. But it is never ugly. If it is art then it cannot be ugly, and if it is ugly, then it cannot be art. By ugly, I don't mean some arbitrary judgement of aesthetic value. Rather, I mean something that instead of showing us the possiblities of 'more' or 'better' instead pulls us back down and shows the worst that we might degrade into. This is the case with "HAPPINESS". What might have been an insightful, satiric portrait of human frailty is instead a movie that revels in the worst in humanity. Solenz, the director, cannot hide the fact that he is viewing his subjects gleefully, that he is amused by their deficiencies and debasedness. This is not satire. It is a childish attempt at provocation with no depth and no idea that there might be something better.
Rating:
Summary: The strangest movie I've ever actually liked
Review: I can honestly say that we got this movie because we thought it would be sort of a funny look at Happiness. Strangely, Happiness is the LAST thing this movie is actually about - instead its about a lot of people who think they are happy and then arean't. In a strange and disturbing way, this movie turns out to be a fascinating look at the often unspoke of side in our society - really worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Take a good, long look at your neighbors...
Review: A great deal of criticism has been directed towards this film. For those people who find this film too dark, I have one word - DISNEY. Now, for the rest of us, this is a film to be respected - not liked. This movie is not entertainment. It's sole purpose is to make you think. An unflinching look at what goes on behind closed doors. An amazing "white knuckle ride". People have compared this movie to American Beauty, but that's like comparing The Return of the Secaucus Seven to The Big Chill. American Beauty isn't a bad film, but it's Hollywood's idea of a family on the fast track to destruction. Happiness shows us the worst case scenario of family life. After seeing this film, you'll see the family in American Beauty as the Cleavers. Yes, this movie is shocking, but it's OK to be shocking as long as you have a good reason. Todd Solondz has the best reason to shock us - he won't to wake us up. Buy this movie, watch it, and then take a good, long look at your neighbors - and yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Sadness
Review: Happiness is certainly not a movie for everybody. Since I like movies like "Leaving Las Vegas", I thought "Happiness" dealt with the same explicit matter. I was wrong. Happiness is a immature, disgusting, coward piece of movie. We are introduced to a man that has strong feelings for little boys. There's a guy who makes random explicit phone calls to women while he pleases himself. There's a woman who tries hard to make herself happy. But she always picks the wrong road. I ask myself, is this entertainment? Or is it drama? Should we feel sorry for them? These is the kind of people I dread to meet. You never know who they are until you know them. This movie is complete junk.
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