Happiness... need I say more?

[MrBlack]

I would really like to know if everyone just dismissed this movie as a steaming pile of sick-ass crap, or saw something deeper in it. I know that it is a satire sort of, but I am just so doubtful about liking it- there is something in the way of my liking it, what the hell is it?

[CheekyShepherd]

I can't find any comedy in a story about a child rapist. I thoroughly detested this film & cannot understand why anyone would rate it highly!

[MrBlack]

It was just so sickeningly funny, hard to explain, I have to be honest- I laughed during the scenes in which the young boy puked (you know what I am talking about) and the infamous "Mommy, there's blood in my BM!".... oh I am sick

The characters in this movie are all so derranged and just downright bad. When presented to characters this way, it seems that we just dismiss it as sick and perverted. There are many flawed characters in films though, but obviously their flaws aren't as accentuated as the ones in this film. I don't know, it seems like it would be hypocritical to dismiss this film as just plain sick and disturbing. Argue if you'd like, it just doesn't seem right

[CheekyShepherd]

I just think that in a world where real paedophiles, pedarasts, rapists and murderers roam... Why should we be presented with a film which invites us to laugh at the actions of such people. I find nothing funny with raping children, and I do not find this film artistic in any way, shape or form.

[notchreturns]

A horrible, horrible film.

Sick, mean-spirted, shit-on-a-stick type of a film. No redemmable characters or qualities, from the phone-sex loser, to the dick-loving sister, to the all American father... Eh, I needed a shower after watching this shite! And I liked films like The War Zone, American Beauty, which were well-acted and showed some competence, but this pile of pretentious dog shit showed me nothing... The cumshots, the dog eating alittle som-something at the end, the kid shooting his load,...

Just not for me.... Solondoz showed so much promise with Welcome to the Dollhouse, too...

[SLAW]

This movie is pretty cool. It shows that everyone has secret sides to themselves. And sometimes the people who are closest to us, know us even less. Basically, I was very entertained because of that factor. Everybody's fucked up!

[BloodiedCelticVengeance]

This piece of shit bored the living hell out of me. What a god-awful fuckin' travesty. The most horrendous 3 hours I've ever spent in a theater. Mr. Solondz...go fuck yerself for this rancid attempt at film making.
I'd rather wipe my hairy ass with sandpaper...eat catshit with a knitting needle...then ever see this FUCKFEST again. Oh, the FUCKIN' HUMANITY of it all! PURE SHIT!!!!

[jlovborg]

I'm surprised that many people here have such strong aversion against this movie. The way it makes fun of paedophilia might be questionable. However, the whole genre of black comedy is to a great extent about making fun of death and murder. So, why shoudn't a black comedy deal with paedophilia, too?

What I particularly like about Happiness is that is has such characters you never see in any other movie. They are absolutely pitiful and loathsome, yet there's something very human in their desperation. In Solondz's movie, there is none of that hypocrisy and mendacious sleekness that characterizes most movies.

Solondoz showed so much promise with Welcome to the Dollhouse, too...

How could you like Dollhouse if you don't like Happiness at all? The latter actually shows what the kids like those in the former grow up to be.

[MrBlack]

I agree jlovborg, that was the missing piece to me

[asyouwish530]

I appreciated Philip Seymour Hoffman so much more after seeing it

[jlovborg]

Originally posted by asyouwish530
I appreciated Philip Seymour Hoffman so much more after seeing it

He's one of the best actors around these days. Very underappreciated indeed.

[daredevil0214]

i thought this movie was excellent. i mean. it was highlarious. the acting was just excellent. i loved the woman that played joy. i cant remember her name. philip seymour hoffman was great as well. nothing's amazing about the cinematography but the acting and the script is just really great.

i think what i liked about this movie was that it pushed limits. it dared to move past traditional film boundaries. it makes fun of rapists, nymphomaniacs, sex-craved people, and most memorable pedophilia. but i think it tries to make people understand that the world isn't all daisies and pancakes. there are people like this hiding out there and i think its just informing the audience of these certain people while making us laugh. its dark and definitely not for those with a weak stomach. but in all honesty i really enjoyed it for its sickly disgusting humor. it shocks you. and i like being shocked.

[flowrchild]

I loved this movie too, it was the darkest comedy I've ever seen. So many parts just completely cracked me up. Yes, clearly I have some issues ;)

I liked it way more than Solondz's followup Storytelling which I thought was completely awful.

[screamer581]

Yes this is about as "black" black comedys get, but I loved every sick twisted minute. I can completely understand why some one wouldn't like it, but I for one love it. I'd give it a 8.5/10. And by the way Flowr, I never asked you why you hated Story Telling so much....?

[Tommy Doyle]

I didn't really have any strong reaction to this film one way or the other. One of my friends absolutely adores it and calls it one of the best movies ever made, so I checked it out. (I watched it with my mother... eek!!) It wasn't great, it wasn't the worst movie I'd ever seen... It was kind of boring. I can totally see where everyone who thinks this film is a piece of shit is coming from though... It's harder to understand why people think it's a masterpiece. I agree with most of the other replies... you just can't make child rape a funny topic... even if it is supposed to be "black comedy".

[flowrchild]

Originally posted by screamer581
And by the way Flowr, I never asked you why you hated Story Telling so much....?

Because "Storytelling" felt to me like an unfinished project, a movie he didn't bother perfecting and just wanted to have released as quickly as possible. It felt sloppy. The wit and insight to the darkness of human nature that he portrayed earnestly in his other films, just seemed lacking in this one. Plus the entire first section with Selma Blair served NO purpose, other than to shock the audience. I just don't find it funny to have sex with someone who has cerebral palsy, basically just so the audience can have a good laugh at him. And the "shock" ending was just laaaaaame. And I didn't care about any of the characters and found them all extremely bland. And that about sums it up :)

[Bomont the Destroyer]

I didn't hate it, but I don't think I liked it too much. I mean I liked it more than I didn't like, it definitely had it's moments. I watched it recently, right around the time those snipers were driving around shooting random people and that was happening like right around where I live so that fantasy park scene actually kinda upset me. I did kinda laugh about the scene where he was trying to spike that kids food though. True it was sick what he intended to do once the kid was asleep, but I still found it funny leading up to that.
Overall it was just too long, they could've cut some out, like that whole part with that Russian guy I didn't really care for, and a few other parts.

[QUENTIN]

Originally posted by BloodiedCelticVengeance
This piece of shit bored the living hell out of me. What a god-awful fuckin' travesty. The most horrendous 3 hours I've ever spent in a theater. Mr. Solondz...go fuck yerself for this rancid attempt at film making.
I'd rather wipe my hairy ass with sandpaper...eat catshit with a knitting needle...then ever see this FUCKFEST again. Oh, the FUCKIN' HUMANITY of it all! PURE SHIT!!!!

Funny, more than half the posts I read of yours, inside and outside of the Rant forum sound like angry tirades... Sounds like someone needs a hug...;)


I just watched Happiness last night and loved it just as much as the last time I saw it. Dylan Baker is fucking superb and it's Solonndz's best achievment as a director. It is the writing however that stands out best, when either sad or funny, it's very well done. I understand how someone can hate it just as many hate Magnolia, American Beauty, and Your Friends & Neighbors, but I think they are all brilliant portraits of multi-faceted people who have much more going on than it seems. 9/10

[gyro_44]

I thought Dylan Baker's performance as the pedophile father was absolutely incredible. It is sick subject matter but he turns the character into a sympathetic figure. Quite an accomplishment.

I for one rather admired the film.

[electriclite]

Originally posted by QUENTIN
Funny, more than half the posts I read of yours, inside and outside of the Rant forum sound like angry tirades... Sounds like someone needs a hug...;)



I swear I've offered him my Vicodin but he has yet to accept it.

[Dude]

Good twisted flick.

It doesnt get any better than "Happiness" EXCELLANT ACTING. This flick shows that these are just SOME of the secrets we ALL have.. albeit, many slightly exaggerted (but not much.. just check the evening news) This is the flick that shows how much we DONT know our neighbor next door.

Second runner up for twisted shit....

Spanking The Monkey.... makes a decent bookend to "Happiness" in the Black Comedy genre.. as well as Doom Generation.;)

[BloodiedCelticVengeance]

Originally posted by QUENTIN
Funny, more than half the posts I read of yours, inside and outside of the Rant forum sound like angry tirades... Sounds like someone needs a hug...;)


Awwww...well, shucks! Gee golly willikers! Don't I feel soooo special now! Thanks for the offer junior, but, I'm quite positive that you are far from my type.

And to you, electrilite , find yourself another hobby. Comet trailing my posts with your lame attempts at antagonizing me are tedious...at best.

I believe the topic of this thread was our REACTION to Happiness , not selective schmoes reactions to my opinion. MrBlack put it out, and I answered. You have a problem with that?

You see, kiddies, when something/one repulses me, I express my disgust in no uncertain terms. I'm adamant in my views, not wishy-washy or apathetic. This flick turns my stomach, so I posted as such. That seems to be the gist of the thread. Got it?

If either of you really feel like stirring it up with me, do so via private message or email... I'll oblige you right the hell back via
those modes of communication. I'm sure both of you would love nothing more than for me to rip you here, and get banned...well, NO DICE.

Buh Bye!!!

[QUENTIN]

I won't speak for electrcilite here but I believe the both of us had the same intent and it was not malicious. I just see a lot of cursing and exclamation points in your posts, I see the same thing in PackBacker's and Lord knows he's one of my favorite schmoes. Not to try and turn it into your fault, but lighten up a bit dude, I was kidding, I'm pretty sure electriclite was too, and I think that's fairly obvious. With a smiley face and "sounds like someone needs a hug comment" does it really seem like I was attacking you or "bringing personal shit to the boards". Shit can often come off wrong when read online where it can be hard to to convey tone, but no offense was meant. If you took it as an attack or something, sorry, but there was no such intent.

[BloodiedCelticVengeance]

Originally posted by QUENTIN
I won't speak for electrcilite here but I believe the both of us had the same intent and it was not malicious. I just see a lot of cursing and exclamation points in your posts, I see the same thing in PackBacker's and Lord knows he's one of my favorite schmoes. Not to try and turn it into your fault, but lighten up a bit dude, I was kidding, I'm pretty sure electriclite was too, and I think that's fairly obvious. With a smiley face and "sounds like someone needs a hug comment" does it really seem like I was attacking you or "bringing personal shit to the boards". Shit can often come off wrong when read online where it can be hard to to convey tone, but no offense was meant. If you took it as an attack or something, sorry, but there was no such intent.

Good stuff, QUENT. I have no reason to doubt your word. It appears as if I misconstrued your intent...bad one on BCV.

[Asokan]

I liked some of it...

the father-son-child's rapist story was at once affecting, disturbing and hilariously funny with brilliant performances. It's tough to watch, but very well-handled.

the story about that old couple (Ben Gazzara & Co.) was boring

Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jon Lovitz were simply magnificent in their respective roles of love sick, but unlikeable fat guys

all the other characters sort of left me cold.

[Asokan]

I liked some of it...

the father-son-child's rapist story was at once affecting, disturbing and hilariously funny with brilliant performances. It's tough to watch, but very well-handled.

the story about that old couple (Ben Gazzara & Co.) was boring

Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jon Lovitz were simply magnificent in their respective roles of love sick, but unlikeable fat guys

all the other characters sort of left me cold.

[Bomont the Destroyer]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Lovitz. I've never seen him actually act before. That kinda threw me off.

[ANavissi500]

bump


Spoilers for Happiness possibly




I just saw this tonight and I felt like it should be commented on. This move, (8/10), was good but I was highly disturbed by some of the images and what that father did. The ending bugged me too as the child finally did "it" and the dog licked "it up". I dunno if I should even be giving this movie an 8. My favorite parts involved whenever Jane Adams or Camryn Manheim (sp?) were on-screen.

[BorderEevilIII]

This is one movie that WILL definately make you lose your appetite. A lot of people that I knew talked about the bizarness of this movie. Well I came across this movie on DVD at the library. Well,......this movie you REALLY REALLY need to have an open mind of what goes on. Other than that, either you would be too disgusted to continue the rest. The only disturbing character that needs to be put away & throw away the key is the chracter played Dylan Baker. Mildly funny but the pacing of the movie can turn off other people.

[Lynn Minmei]

This isn't the spectacular films ome make it out to be, but it is a fine movie. And it uses Air Supply's "All Out Of Love". Class.

[Squid Vicious]

Let's just say:

I could've lived the rest of my life without seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman ejaculating on a wall.

[MarkItZero]

The movie is so sickening and vile that it might actually be good.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Squid Vicious
Let's just say:

I could've lived the rest of my life without seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman ejaculating on a wall.

It was stunt jism. :D

[Tuukka]

This is a great film. Very funny, brutally honest. Brilliantly written and acted, with superb direction. 9/10.

[Squid Vicious]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
It was stunt jism. :D

Oh, okay, I take it back. :D

On a side note: to those who thought Happiness was funny, watch Schindler's List. You'll laugh your ass off!

[Damned Martian]

Originally posted by Squid Vicious
On a side note: to those who thought Happiness was funny, watch Schindler's List. You'll laugh your ass off! Talking about the price of the tea in China... :rolleyes:

[paul]

I really liked this film. But it really isn't for everyone. 8/10

[flowrchild]

Happiness where are you...I've searched so long for you...Happiness what are you...I haven't got a clue....

Joy's songs were so profound :D

Too bad her guitar got stolen :(