Rating: 
Summary: Amazing....
Review: The first twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan gave me the exact same reaction to Happiness--I was absolutely shocked. I couldn't believe the filmmakers had the cajones to make this brillant flick. I didn't know if they were going for shock value, or just didn't give a damn who they horrified in the process. I don't want to give anything away, but all I can tell you is it's all sexually related topics. All deviant behavior is expressed here. The acting is excellent--especially with Phillip Seymour Hoffman & Cameryn Mannheim. I can't wait to see it again.
Rating: 
Summary: Not funny. Not sick.
Review: Just plain boring. After having read the other reviews here, I was anticipating a film of the caliber of 'Welcome To The Dollhouse'. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. The film was painfully slow and tedious, with no real character development. I don't recall having laughed OR cringed, not even once. Waste, waste, waste. It may appeal to artsy fartsy types, but for us common peasant stock it holds no appeal. If you want funny and sick, get an early John Waters film such as Polyester or Pink Flamingos. There's enough dysfunction in each of these films to satify most peoples neurosis.
Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: Only one word sticks out about this film: Disturbing. I must've missed the point when I saw this one. Still, you can relate to the losers that this film spews out. I almost fell ill and had to leave the theatre (Some scenes of this film are very graphic). How the director got these stars involved in the film, I will never know. After it was over, I was happy that wasn't like any of these people. Even cameos by Jon Lovitz and Molly Shannon (I rather see her do Mary Catherine Gallagher) doesn't help my view on this film. One of the reasons I didn't like this film is because I never saw anything that disturbing before. Even Bill Maplewood's frank conversation to his 11 year old son goes beyond my wildest dreams. I should tell you that I went to my college theatre to watch this film as part of a class assignment, so most of the graphic humor was right up many of the student's alley. After it was over, some people applauded. What did they see that I didn't? Wheather you like this film or hate it, HAPPINESS is quite an experience. After the film, I went home and commited myself to find true happiness in my life and that has had made all the difference.
Rating:
Summary: Happiness is brilliant
Review: It had been two years since I had seen a really good movie. Someone suggested "Happiness," and I am so glad they did. It is brilliant. My friends say that I am too picky--that I only like movies that are pseudo-intellectual. They are wrong: I like good movies that make me think. "Happiness" is a good movie that will make you think.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking but Insightful
Review: It is one of the best movies that i've ever seen. Its not a movie to watch while eating popcorn or if you want to pass the time easily. This movie contains something to think about. It brings into light some dark spots in our life, in our society. Spots that we usually ignore or categorize without really analyzing them. The Serial rapist can actually be the charming shrink and not necessarily a twisted mind weirdo, a brutal murderer can be the fat poor lady and not necessarily a cold minded killer, a phone-sex harasser can be a computer insecure nerd, and they all can be neighbores or somehow relate to eachother. The movie also deals with the relations of 3 sisters, a happy houswife-the shrink's wife, a novelist that her main problem that she has too many admirers, and little joy who has anything in life but joy - on the surface everybody pretends to be supportive but down beneath they are actually phony. The talented screenwriter which happens to be also the director, Todd Solondz, makes out of some really pathetic situations something to laugh about. The first and last scene is something that should not be missed! If you would concentrate in the message and not on the bodily fluids, I promise you'll know to appreciate this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Disgusting garbage, disguised as art
Review: This has to be the worst film I have ever seen, for a multitude of reasons. I only gave it one star because it wouldn't let me give it none. Besides its' sick perversity, the script is at best dull (only moved forward by ever more disgustng acts of moral perversion), the characters are cliched, and the dialogue is stiff and unnatural. This is shock-cinema at its' absolute worst. I find it amazing that the film all but celebrates pedophiliac serial rape. I deeply regret seeing this film.
Rating:
Summary: misery
Review: I've never enjoyed someone else's misery so much. A dead-pan hoot.Unfortunately, in our politically correct and culturally reactionary times, some viewers might view this film as serious and shocking stuff only, and then miss all the fun. But it's a first rate (all right) serious comedy-satire. HAPPINESS has a very effective sound track, with a wide variety of musics, and a subtly perversive cinematography of primary colors. All aspects of the film-making work together to form an integrated vision. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Who Even Knows If You'll Like It
Review: "Happiness" is one brave picture. There are more filthy, repulsive images in this film than ever imaginable. I know people who think this is the worst piece of trash they've ever seen. Then there are people like me, who found the whole affair to be hilariously shocking. Basically, can you bring yourself to laugh at the horrible depravity lying beneath the average family? Would you find it funny if your neighbor was a sweaty, lonely man who made dirty prank phone calls to women? I hope you understand what I'm getting at. Another "see it to say you saw it" kind of films. The opening speech by Jon Lovitz is worth the rental price alone.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: This film is dark, disturbing, and filled with flashes of black, absurd humor. The principle characters are ordinary middle class people who happen to be haunted by their very personal demons. I ask myself why I loved this film, and why I didn't simply run screaming in disgust. My answer is that I could relate to these characters; that their dilemmas rang true to me, and I cared about their fates. If you're a person with a sunny disposition and not inclined towards introspection, you'll find no use for this film, and you'll wonder why anyone would bother to make it. But if you're of a darker nature, struggling to stay on track and do right in a world that appears to be amoral and inappropriately happy, then consider spending an hour or two with Todd Solondz and his characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Dark, Disturbing, Funny
Review: "Happiness" belongs in the same category as "Eating Raoul"; it's a black comedy. This is a collection of wacky vignettes about deeply disturbed and unhappy people linked by family ties (but not much else): a psychiatrist who is a closet pedophile, a woman who murders her doorman, etc. It would be a distasteful movie, except that it is exceptionally well directed and at times, very funny. It's one of those movies you don't show to visitors unless you know them very well.
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