Happiness (1998)
AKA: –
Directed by: Todd Solondz
Starring: Jane Adams (Joy), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Allen), Dylan Baker (Dr. Maplewood), Lara Flynn Boyle (Helen), Cynthia Stevenson (Trish), Camryn Manheim (Kristina), Louise Lasser (Mona Jordan), Ben Gazzara (Lenny Jordan)
Country: United States
Language: English (English subs)
Runtime: 02:19:51
Genres: Misery, Siblings-Family, Old-Young Relationships, Gay, Mass Killings
Plot – Spoilers:
The primary theme of Happiness is the absence of it in the miserable lives of its characters.
Joy is the youngest sister in a dysfunctional family that pretends to be close but whose parents are finally separating after a 40-year marriage. She is prone to crying and is patronized by the rest of her family who regard her as a serial loser.
Helen is Joy’s older sister and a vain successful writer. But deep down she knows she’s a fraud.
Trish is the oldest sister but is caught somewhere between the other two in her life. On the one hand she feels superior to Joy on the basis of having a family of three kids and an allegedly good life with her psychiatrist husband, Bill Maplewood. But on the other hand she’s envious of Helen’s independent success and active sex life. Trish and Bill’s marriage is a sham and unbeknownst to her, he has a big thing for little boys. It’s unclear if Bill has molested either of his two boys, but he appears to make a couple of attempts at grooming his older son, whose only current goal is to cum.
Allen is a depressed neighbor of Helen who has grandiose lustful thoughts about her, but crumbles in her presence, opting to instead masturbate while telephoning random strangers. An obese neighbor of his lusts for his companionship and she has a few things in her closet as well.
Happiness is one of those really fucked up movies that achieves this glorious status without indulging in graphic effed up content. Just the characters and their lives do it. Most people will find something in it to identify with, but its true greatness lies in how humorously some of the sickest moments are treated.
So, I watched this movie the other night—along with the sequel Love During Wartime. I have to admit, when I first watched it, I immediately identified that it was directed by a Jew, and that layer of filth was like smegma over a herpe-infested cock for the vast majority of my first viewing. I returned to watch it again and it grew on me the second time. I’m not sure what I was expecting. I was recommended this film after having watched Saló (one of my favorites) because someone had said that it’s in league with some of the great disturbing films out there. I don’t consider this to be one of my favorites of all time—but it is a film that’s oddly fun to talk about with someone else who’s seen it. Favorite Scene: Hoffman’s character (Allen) being invited over to Lara Boyle’s place (Helen) after prank calling her with that disgusting diatribe, and his ensuing reluctance to even speak to her because of his inner emptiness and hatred toward himself—getting wasted in his vehicle after making comment on a game he’d never seen with his normie co-worker, being greeted at the door by his obese neighbor (Kristina) while in a drunken stupor, her stroking his nasty hair while pristine music plays overtop. Great stuff. The scene where Allen is next to Helen on the couch groping along the cushions while Mozart plays has got to be up there too. Least Favorite Scene: All the shit with the Jews… Read more »
i fucking hate joy….
lol most fucked up ending ever.
The most fucked up and effective comedy you will see, probably ever, with some absolutely great performances.
10/10
good shit
Dear Joy Jordan,
Your eyes as round as a coin, your butt tender as sirloin.
As I am once again, skipping school, and cutting class.
Watch me waiting outside, laying rock hard on a patch of grass
Penis pointing towards the sky, and the glowing hot sun.
Im still trying to contain my wild smile, as i am having fun.
See me nutting right now and being quite gibberish of speech.
hand me a towel, so we could go for long walks on the beach.
Masterpiece.
I saw this film in the theater when it came out. Have loved it ever since. However, This is the only place/site that has this film. It’s not on streaming anywhere. Believe me, I’ve searched. It’s not even a dvd available for rent. It literally cannot be found. Excluding Buying a ridiculously high priced used dvd of it on Amazon, it’s just unattainable. Finding it here is just one reason I love this site so much.
As far as dark comedies go, this is the best of the best. Such a brilliant film about secret lives and the hidden ugliness that dwells behind people’s masks. And in the end, all are miserable. With a fantastic cast, incredible writing, and some truly great performances. I miss these art house films they used to make. I mean, the marvel universe is cool and all, but there needs to be a place for these films in the theater too.
The dull chapters with the old, decrepit Jews in the condo, the parents, really destroys the pacing. Other than that very good.
this was a strange watch tbh but i would recommend if you like to see miserable people living miserable lifes
Great movie. I enjoyed every second of it
Fucking hilarious,Philip Seymour Hoffman as the crank phonecall jackoff bandit was particularly memorable
“i can admit it that im fat and ugly” girl so is he, this is a match made in heaven
average day in new jersey
The Admin summary is spot on, and this is one effed up film. The speech between father and son near the end of the film is shocking. There were a number of scenes with Dr Maplewood were I found myself muttering ‘oh no, don’t’. Some great dialogue and great acting and Hoffman as always gives a great performance. 4.5/5 tuna sandwiches
10/10 film recommended to all my friends who wouldnt judge me for doing so will never watch this again
Lmao this was quite the ride. They don’t make movies like this anymore,and I hate it.
My god… All I can say is the poor children. The end scene with the Dr. and his son chatting about his endeavors truly made my stomach churn. When he delivered that punchline tho I wanted to laugh
Quality film
a masterpiece quite literally. always will be a classic
Fuck up ya cunts it’s a fuckin movie,watch it as such
Bro I’m like an hour and 20 minutes in this shit hurts why Joy be taking L after L like that
Comedy film made by woke NY liberals that love socialist and communist ideology. Overrated. It has it’s moments.
i loved this movie. very depressing but worth the watch
This movie is legit so good you sort of forget how unbelievably bleak and dark it is while watching it.
Hard recommend!
that little boys dad is an asshole for raging in the doctors office
Stay at home moms have no damn personality traits other than cooking cleaning and taking care of kids lol
fucked up ending lol
trish and helen’s bios are mixed up
Rigid and dilettantish, encapsulating prosaic piteous conviction.
all the bullshit and fuckery, just keep a fake smile through it all.
To Happiness !
Mi.a placut acest film. In primele 60 de minute am simtit si putina comedie neagra.
Says the guy with an American actor from an American movie for his avatar…. lolz
Guess he’s a bigger fan of American movies then he thought.
An X-ray over American Dream makes it easier for us to see the reality of life in America. These miserable characters carry big weight of desire for happiness on their back. Not many directors dare to touch this theme but todd solondz did it. Brilliant work although I am not a fan of American movies.
Brilliant movie! Thanks for uploading EFM.
good
bro this movie was so good but at the same time i never want to watch it again
Todd Solonz new up in the same town as I did in NJ…. How cathartic and wonderful it is to see the fucked up, shiny on the outside rotten on the inside pageantry being portrayed on screen. “No YOU’RE so busy!!!”
the only fucked up thing in this movie is having to watch two old people make out. oh yeah and the pedophilia but still. ew
rlly fun moobie!! fun for the whole family
This film depicts an average American life. Brutally showcased by the Director.
Love. Bleak with some gross concepts. Nice and depressing.