The Critics Speak

Happiness

Critic: Steph Lewis
On a scale of 0 to Awesome, I rate this: "Creative" or "Unique"
Released: June 3, 2003
Director: Todd Solondz
MPAA RATING: Unrated, but it involves pedophelia and masturbation so I wouldn't run out and watch it unless you're well aware of that

Synopsis: Building on the darkly comic angst of WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, Todd Solondz's HAPPINESS conveys suburban desperation and frustration on a larger scale than his previous film. The ensemble cast of characters centers around the lives of three sisters: Joy (Jane Adams), an awkward, naive, and unlucky musician; Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle), a beautiful, self-obsessed writer; and Trish (Cynthia Stevenson), a conservative housewife who is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist harboring an unhealthy fascination for young boys. Other dysfunctional characters include the sisters' unhappy parents, Lenny and Mona Jordan (Ben Gazzara and Louise Lasser), and the lonely, sex-obsessed Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who lives next to Helen and goes to Bill for therapy.

At once both scathingly funny and shockingly bleak, HAPPINESS addresses subjects that most films are afraid to touch, including pedophilia and masturbation. Unapologetic and unflinching, Solondz's film features bold performances from the entire cast and makes for uneasy but intriguing viewing as it peers behind the fragile facade of the American dream. --Taken from Rotten Tomatoes

My Take: I loved Welcome to the Dollhouse, also directed by Solondz. But, this one didn't quite have the same magic for me. It felt like a typical "indie" film - covers controversial topics with a somewhat deadpan format. Only, this one didn't really flow right and I got bored several times. It had some interesting shots and decent acting, so it wasn't all bad, but it just didn't have the same energy as Welcome to the Dollhouse did.