Happiness

Rating:
Summary: Not good
Review: I thought this a slow, poorly written, poorly acted film, that tried to get a rise out of the viewer with shock value, like a comedian who has no talent, so resorts to toilet humor to get an audience response. To those who were offended by the pedophile stuff...I don't know how you could have been, the acting and directing and writing of that whole episode was so amateurish, for it to shock, those involved would have had to have some TALENT!! I saw DOLL HOUSE and liked it okay, but this movie didn't work at all.

Rating:
Summary: Missing on all cylinders
Review: Normally, I am a fan of this style of film. The type that mixes in doses of black comedy while dealing largely with dysfunctional lives. After all, it is about time that we begin peel away those layers of phoniness, that pretense that everything is alright, and deal with the fact that our culture breeds dysfunctionality and neurosis.
However, Happiness is a very lame attempt to do that. While the film tries to show us plenty of disturbed characters attempting to shroud themselves with some semblance of normalcy, none of these characters are developed beyond pathetic cardboard cutouts and tired stereotypes. They elicit no response whatsoever from the viewer, who is left wondering, "who cares?".
Happiness also attempts to portray the neurotic actions of its "characters" as both shocking and darkly humorous. They are neither. It is painfully and embarrassingly obvious that these actions are presented for shock value alone, and not for any intellectual or aesthetic benefit. And as far as dark comedy goes, if you find rapist pedaphiles who are presented as sympathetic figures funny, then knock yourself out. Although many viewers may be offended by such images and issues, I myself am not. What I am offended by though is a film that blatantly tries to manipulate its viewer into some kind of response and hides behind the guise of art, as Happiness does.
This film tries too hard to be shocking and different, but ends up only being transparent and tiring.

Rating:
Summary: UNIQUE/ORIGINAL MOVIE
Review: Happiness is basically a story that shows that people arn't always as they appear and there's more going on behind the scenes than you think and it shows people's private lives and shows all the emotions they feel and reveals about thier lives.It takes the story of a family and people and just puts it all out there.At times funny,strange and wierd but reason i give this 5 stars is because it's a very unique and diffrent film.Ive never seen a film like this before so it deserves 5 for its creativity and openness on the subject matter and the actors were amazing, perfect actors for the charachters in this movie.I didnt find this movie disturbing like the people in some of the reviews on here said- there was no nudity and not much violence ( that you can see).But i guess this got a nc 17 rating for the subject matter of pedophilia and all the other issues they discuss.There was one part i thought was a lil sick at the end but other than that the movie is fine if you are ok with witnessing people talking about some major issues in thier lives.This is the first Todd Solondz movie ive seen and i think i just might try the other movies he has since i liked this one.This movie deals with diffrent people with so many diffrent problems and it is very strange but brilliant at same time. But ive seen movies that were way more disturbing than this one so like i said it's not bad only subject matter.Anyone under 18 i guess shouldnt see this- though it really depends on how mature you are if you are open minded on discussing and watching controversial subjects and getting into peoples heads.Id say i wouldve still enjoyed this and not been offended even at 17.I'm 21 now.But all kids arnt the same so yes not for under 18 but all over 18 this is a good movie, i recomend it.

Rating:
Summary: KEEP THE KIDS AWAY!
Review: Man, this is difficult, difficult movie!! It's packed full of thoroughly unlikeable characters. And they do some awfully uncomfortable things.

The actors are all outstanding. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays a loser (what a stretch!!) who starts making obscene phone calls to his next door neighbor (Lara Flynn Boyle), who enjoys them. What happens when they meet? That's just one sample of the kind of interactions you might see in this movie. It plays a little like MAGNOLIA, but without much of the hopeful tone that movie ends with.

But the source of all the controversy in this movie is the character played by the brave, brilliant Dylan Baker. He plays a totally milquetoast, average, middle-class father. Yet his character is also a child-molester. I wouldn't say his character is presented sympathetically, but he isn't always shown as just a monster either. There's one scene, wherein his son has just discovered his beloved father's secret and questions him in detail about his twisted desires. The scene is hands-down the most uncomfortable thing I've ever watched. I was literally squirming...it is so shocking, so obscene and so terribly, terribly sad. In two minutes, we see how several lives are shattered forever.

Baker's performance should have been nominated for an Oscar, but this would have required too much bravery on the part of the selection commmittee.

Do I recommend the film? Well, if you aren't afraid to have your limits tested, absolutely. It has a lot to say, not just about child molestation. It's well-acted and written, and has many very funny moments too (one character to another: "I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you." to which the response is: "I'm not laughing." It's from the creator of WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, so you know it's going to be unconventional. But it is exciting filmmaking. ABSOLUTELY KEEP THE KIDS AWAY FROM IT!

Rating:
Summary: Independent Films - Why This One Works
Review: Most independent films are not sponsored by major film studios because there is 'no market (money)' for them. Few of these break out. However, that's even more to reason investigate films that push the limit and Todd Solondz's "Happiness" not only does that, it pushes your buttons. Heaped with plenty of characters with dubious or questionable morals (great actors ensemble), viewers have found pieces of this story either hilarious or repellent, but outrageous in every respect. "Happiness" presents characters of middle America at their rawest and sometimes bleakest moments, making decisions that almost always bring them another difficult hurdle to overcome.

I personally saw this film as hilarious and unbelievably inventive. Every character is woven in a twisted plot of selfishness or self-awareness. Sex appears as the main motif and it isn't always pretty. In fact, Solodnz seems to use it as a tool to both disgust and delight the audience simultaneously. There's the rub - the viewer never knows quite how to appropriately react - just like most of the characters in the film. Maybe we see too much of ourselves in this film to make us feel comfortable, but if you can approach it as a black comedy, you may find yourself a little surprised at how humor can sometimes be portrayed.

Rating:
Summary: Brutally different yet compelling film.
Review: For the most part I find many of the reviews about this film spot on. This is not your ordinary movie and it's delivery is so unique that it just has to strike you as a masterpiece. The subject matter for many of the story lines is so appaling in some cases that you are just compelled to watch and understand the feelings. The director was not going for shock value but rather to portray things most refer to as disgusting and putting a human face to them. I admit I found many of the scenes to be gross and appalling but you don't turn away fromm it instead you think about the characters emotions. These are everyday normal people who just get caught up in the absurd. The movie is so shocking that I believe everyone should see this movie even if it is very strong content.

Rating:
Summary: Petroleum-dark vision on seeking happiness - a must see
Review: If you look at things open-mindedly and like to think for your own... then you just MIGHT like this movie. Take the chance - at least you'll be mind-moved.

Nothing is explicitly terrible here - it's all what is implied what shocks and amazes because of the sarcastic situations. In the end, these pretty, successful, perfect characters still carry the same desperate soul looking for happiness of their misfit relatives - yet end up being bitter and way more unbearable. Memorable Jane Adams and Lara Flynn Boyle - you just can't help loving the first and hating the second. And if you find yourself laughing or feeling sorry while thinking 'how terrible this is', you'll understand the greatness of the ...story.

PS: Just 4 stars: because there is still 'Magnolia' - another great interpretation by Philip Seymour Hoffman , by the way..

Rating:
Summary: woooo boy
Review: everyone else I know who has seen this movie was disgusted by it(but these ppl's fav movie is star wars so....)anyway anyone who likes their humor dark and twisted this is your cup of tea, whoever thought child molestation,rape,perversion and utter lonliness could be so funny? ...

Rating:
Summary: Awful, Awful, Awful
Review: This will forever remain in my personal history books as the worst movie I have ever seen. It was an absolute train wreck - abhorrent, repellent, repulsive, repugnant, and yet we had to finish watching it to the very end. What a mistake that was. Save yourselves, your family, and your friends, and never, ever watch this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I had never even heard of this movie when I was forced to watch it with a friend. Within the first 5 minutes of the movie I was going hysterical, there are just so many different reasons to laugh. It is incredibly sick and demented but it is entertaining because it simply exagerates all of the problems in American families. I consider myself priveleged to say that I am one of the few people who has heard of this movie. It has definately not received the credit it deserves.