‎Happiness (1998) directed by Todd Solondz • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

Happiness

1998 Directed by Todd Solondz

Finding happiness can be a tragic comedy.

The lives of many individuals connected by the desire for happiness, often from sources usually considered dark or evil.

Jane Adams Jon Lovitz Philip Seymour Hoffman Dylan Baker Evan Silverberg Rufus Read Justin Elvin Lara Flynn Boyle Cynthia Stevenson Lila Glantzman-Leib Gerry Becker Louise Lasser Ben Gazzara Camryn Manheim Arthur J. Nascarella Molly Shannon Jared Harris Ann Harada

139 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by DirkH ★★★★★ 12

It's like unintentionally burping mid-conversation.

It's like having to go to the bathroom really badly while you're stuck in traffic.

It's like walking in on your parents while they're doing the nasty.

It's like misreading an invitation and mistakenly thinking you're going to a costume party.

It's like watching porn with your grandparents.

And I love every single second of it.
Review by Arielrocks5 ★★★★★ 23

There are a lot of movies that end up making you uncomfortable while watching them, be intentionally or unintentionally.

We have our own buttons that people love to push, but then there are sometimes where simply pushing them isn't enough. Some go furiously jab at them at a sporadic pace for over two hours until you finally break down and accept the harsh realities of it all.

With that being said, "Happiness" is the most uncomfortable movie I've ever seen in my god damn life. From the moment we're introduced to most our main characters' intentions and own goals in search for happiness, you end up letting out a awkward, really dry chuckle at the realization of what you're going…
Review by Silent J ★★★★★ 23

"I'm not laughing AT you. I'm laughing WITH you."
"But I'm not laughing."

Is it fucked up that I laughed my way through all of this?

Is it fucked up that I think the line "I'm champagne. YOU'RE shit!" is the greatest way to tell off your ex I've ever heard?

Is it fucked up that I thought that scene of the kid asking his dad "What does cum mean?" is the strangest and funniest thing I've seen in a movie?

Is it fucked up that I think the Russian Guy is one of the coolest motherfuckers put on screen?

And when Philip Seymour Hoffman came on the wall...I puked a little.
Seriously, don't eat while watching this. I'll never…
Review by Nathan Rabin ★★★★

So it turns out the title IS ironic.
Review by Eli Hayes ★★★★½ 7

Dylan Baker gives one of the most undervalued
performances of the 20th century in this marvel.
Review by Ryan Narc ★★★★½ 4

My first Todd Solondz film and I'm not sure when I'll be mentally prepared to venture into another one of his - although I'm still very intrigued to at some point. Happiness is one of the most uncomfortable, shocking (in the 'I-can't-believe-it-just-went-there' kind of way) and disconcerting drama/darkest-kinda-comedy-possible films I've seen in quite some time, if not ever. Holy shit.

And, once again, I am left amazed by another fantastic performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman. He was one of the absolute best around. May he rest in peace.

Recent reviews

Review by PhatDave ★★★★

A very dark black comedy; not for everyone, but if you don't mind dialogue-heavy movies and have the fortitude to deal with taboo subjects, you'll laugh along with the weirdness.
Review by darcy ★★★★

uncomfortably human even when it’s not at all relatable
Review by Brian with a Y ★★★★½

Lay off the salt.
Review by James ★★★★½

i think i need a shower
Review by Craig White ★★★★

From my TIFF 1998 reviews:

HAPPINESS is an ironically titled film about an extended family who don't understand the concept at all. A very controversial film, ever character in this film is damaged in some way, some of them repellantly so. I don't really feel like describing these people - I don't think the details matter in this case. All you need to know is that if you enjoy black—and I mean pretty darn pitch black—comedy, you'll appreciate many of the very pointed and funny skewerings of suburban middle America, but there will be points in this film where you'll just be repulsed. Maybe it's good once in a while to remind yourself of what you hate, and recharge the moral indignation batteries, but it's not something that I want to do often.
Review by Juliette L ★★★★

Fucking ankward at some moments but I liked it a lot.
Review by spagbowl666 ★★★★★

Todd solondz is one of my fav directors . I lov how he write characters to make them so unlikeable yet with some kind of dignity at the same time
Review by Sean ★★★★½

I think about this movie all the time.
Review by Isaac Taylor ★★★★

People look at me and get bored

I've known about this film for a while, since about 2015. The film first popped onto my radar through Machinima ETC's video that was called something like WTF Movies (if anyone can find it, send it to me, I'm trying to find it). They are know known as Internet Today and are really funny people and I love them. They talked about the absurdity of the film and I always wanted to see it, but was impossible to find. Right now, the DVD, yes, the DVD goes for $60 on Amazon and it can only be viewed online in VHS quality. So, come on Criterion.

Now, Sardonicast has done a podcast on it,…