‎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 ★★★★★ 11

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 Francis ★★★★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 Jacques Ciesla ★★★★★

I'm not happy.
Review by lina ★★★½

this is one of papa kern’s favorite movies and that REALLY says something
Review by Fernando ★★★★

Ok so this movie is about a boy who cums for the first time.
Review by Nathan Navarrette ★★★★★

I have watched this one too many times this year.

But I love it more and more for some reason...
Review by Liam ★★★★

An excersise in awkward pacing and tasteless humour. Happiness is for people who like, “The Office”, levels of cringe but also have a sense of humour that leans towards the obsenly dirty.
Review by Boratfan6969 ★★★½

I was not high when I watched this movie.
Review by Willem Clysters ★★★

This is just so wrong
Review by Joni ★★★½

i hate this
Review by Luka Stojcic ★★★½

7.5/10

There are certainly stories that are more compelling than others; by far the most conceptually taut narrative is that of Dylan Baker's therapist, who harbors shocking homicidal ideation and a fondness for raping little boys. The way Solondz helms is entirely unique: he's one of the few directors who has the guts to try to understand Maplewood, instead of taking the easy route and unequivocally condemning the man for his crimes. Instead, there are empathetic close-ups, and a performance that reconceptualizes the entire idea of sickness, framing it not as an overt characteristic borne from innate perversion, but rather an emblematic symptom of mass cultural repression. After all, the film was made in a time where even the leader…