Review: Happy Happy Joy Joy (Sundance 2020)

January 24th 2020, 8:00pm

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

PLOT: The story behind Nickelodeon’s seminal “Ren & Stimpy”, and the complicated, sometimes predatory man behind it, John Kricfalusi.

REVIEW: For fans of “Ren & Stimpy”, HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s packed with enough clips to make you nostalgic for one of the most demented, cerebral and often brilliant cartoons ever made. On the other, it makes the series all but impossible to enjoy as by the end you’ll know its creator, John Kricfalusi, all too well. At his best a brilliant, but complicated man, Kricfalusi, who sits for a thorough interview, is a troubled soul. While undeniably talented, so much so that “Ren & Stimpy” had no chance whatsoever when Nickelodeon infamously showed him the door, he was also a toxic, abusive man who treated his employees, friends and especially his romantic partners with absolute disdain. And that’s not even getting into some of the more sordid aspects of his personality, such as the allegations of sexual harassment and his highly inappropriate relationships with former young fans, such as one woman who he reportedly groomed from the age of fourteen, and became his romantic partner when she turned sixteen.

One thing worth noting – these aren’t only accusations. Kricfalusi admits what he did in the documentary, even if he stops short of expressing real remorse over anything other than the fact that his actions cost him his career (he admits that he’s currently retired – but not by choice). It should also be noted though – directors Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood do not make this aspect of his life their focus, a choice that produces mixed results. Instead, the focus is on the cartoon itself, which isn’t a bad way to go, but the accusations only really come into the film about fifteen minutes away from the ending, making them feel like a bit of a footnote. That said, Cicero and Easterwood have clearly tailored their film towards “Ren & Stimpy” devotees, and if you’re a fan of the show, chances are you already know what he did and this gives you a little added context non-fans may not have.

Thoroughly entertaining throughout, it can’t be denied that the subject matter is incredibly compelling. “Ren & Stimpy” was a full-fledged cultural phenomenon, albeit briefly, and both it and the man behind it make for compelling subjects. The impact it made on pop culture is enlightening, especially to a person like myself, who watched it as an eleven year old Canadian (when it aired on Much Music) and knew little about the effect it had on animation in general. It’s argued that Kricfalusi, with his demand for creative control and an all-important “created by” title card, paved the way for the makers of “South Park” and other important cartoons.

For those of us who watched it as kids and wondered why it suddenly started to suck after the second season, you find out why here although this is perhaps the only time where you’ll sympathize the network over the artist. He comes off as so insufferable you’ll wonder how he lasted so long at the helm, even if his work was brilliant. The stories are fascinating, with it coming out that it was the reaction to one deeply personal episode that triggered his downfall. Watching the clips, it also seems amazing that Nickelodeon let so much slide, although this willingness to push the envelope has allowed it to stand the test of time, even if its creator makes it hard to appreciate now.

If you haven’t seen “Ren & Stimpy” in awhile, HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY is a mixed blessing. It’ll no doubt trigger so legitimate nostalgia, but it’s also a tragic story about how one man couldn’t help but inflict his pain on others at every chance he got. It’s fascinating, but also deeply tragic.