Happiness (1998)
87%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Todd Solondz’s Happiness is a film that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to delve into the dark and twisted world of suburban angst. With a cast of deviant characters that are presented with humor in a non-judgmental way, Solondz explores the pathetic desires and contradictions that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. The film exhibits a pitch-perfect balance between condescension and compassion, and as you watch it, you might find yourself quoting German existential philosophers in an attempt to come to terms with its haunting and moving themes. Happiness is a masterpiece that deserves attention, and Solondz is a filmmaker who hears the unhappiness in the air and seeks its sources.
Happiness is a movie that’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a film that will make you question your own sanity, this is it. With a cast of characters that are both disturbing and hilarious, Todd Solondz has created a world that’s both off-kilter and all too familiar. From the Chekhovian sisters to the “deviant” characters that populate the film, Happiness is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll. So if you’re ready to confront your own pathetic desires and contradictions, give Happiness a watch. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures,
Distributor
Good Machine International
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-14
Year of Release
1998
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:2h 19m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 1998 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 1999
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
Happiness, Comedy, Drama, 2h 19m, starring Jane Adams, Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ben Gazzara, Jared Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Todd Solondz, written by Todd Solondz, produced by Ted Hope, Christine Vachon, box office gross $3.0M, reviewed by Paul Tatara, Owen Gleiberman, Nick Schager, Kenneth Turan, Marjorie Baumgarten, Roger Ebert, Jas Keimig, Rob Gonsalves, Joe Lozito, Emanuel Levy, James O’Ehley, Jeanne Aufmuth, MPAA rating R, ensemble-comedy, three Jordan sisters, lackluster jobs, dating a student, esteemed poet, perverted neighbor, psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret life, search for humanity within everyday depravity, grimly humorous script, fearless performances, emotional minefield, American suburban angst, sexual perverts, judgmental stay-at-home mom, pedophile, desperate but lonely pervert, depressing situations, pursuit of happiness, dark and depressing comedy-drama, disturbing behavior, controversial topics, downer comedy
Worldwide gross: $2,982,011
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $2,982,011
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Dylan Baker – Bill Maplewood
Lara Flynn Boyle – Helen Jordan
Ben Gazzara – Lenny Jordan
Jared Harris – Vlad
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Allen
Todd Solondz – Director, Writer
Ted Hope – Producer
Christine Vachon – Producer
Director(s)
Todd Solondz
Writer(s)
Todd Solondz
Producer(s)
Ted Hope, Christine Vachon
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (8)
As sharp as some of the writing is, Solondz is still not enough of a director to successfully negotiate this emotional minefield.
February 7, 2018
Paul Tatara
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Exhibits an almost pitch-perfect balance between condescension and compassion.
October 20, 2009 | Rating: B+
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 2/5
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It is not a film for most people. It is certainly for adults only. But it shows Todd Solondz as a filmmaker who deserves attention, who hears the unhappiness in the air and seeks its sources.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
The world of Happiness is a bit off-kilter, which creates distance between you and the film. But if you look closer, you might get a glimpse of your own pathetic desires and contradictions.
December 9, 2021
Jas Keimig
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
Happiness is tough stuff — quietly confrontational, genuinely haunting, and, most disturbing of all, unexpectedly moving.
September 17, 2007 | Rating: 5/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
July 14, 2007 | Rating: 4/4
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
By far Solondz’s best film, an original exploration of American suburban angst, with three Chekhovian sisters at the center and a gallery of “deviant” characters that are presented with humor in non-judgmental way.
October 10, 2006 | Rating: A-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
It’ll soon have you quoting German existential philosophers in coming to terms with it . . .
September 24, 2003
James O’Ehley
Movie Gurus
May 14, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly…
Plot
Happiness follows the lives of three sisters, each struggling with their own personal demons and dark secrets, in this darkly humorous ensemble comedy.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance as the perverted neighbor, Allen, is described as “perfect” by an audience reviewer on Fresh Kernels.
Todd-Solondz.jpg
