...And They Lived Happily Ever After
User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9

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  1. RobertG.
    Apr 12, 2005
    2
    A pity this film was made. A pity it was distributed. A waste of some decent talent. An entertaining soundtrack that is dragged into unforgivable cliche. Redeeming moments? ...I'm thinking...
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jun 12, 2005
    4
    Occasionally funny, mostly sordid. It makes fodder for the evangedists who are trying to save us from the fires of hell.
  3. MikeB.
    Jun 2, 2005
    9
    Sorry that I can't be as pithy and condemning as David Ng, but, lo, I actually very much enjoyed this film. The film itself didn't fit neatly into a specific category and I found the soundtrack to be very effective.
  4. IraS.
    Jul 25, 2005
    8
    Fun date movie if you're married. We've all been through a lot of this stuff. Great soundtrack.
  5. JD
    Aug 22, 2005
    8
    As my own marraige flatlines, I found a challenge in this movie from characters who are willing - too willing, for the most part - to make literal and figurative messes in their lives. Passion can seem to be at odds with compassion, as in the married adulterer who is hurting two women at the same time, but the movie may be saying that they can only co-exist - without both, you end up with indifference. The sexy elevator rides that begin and end the movie clearly symbolize our erotic conundrums - the ride to the heights is always followed by the return trip down to the doldrums. Choose - a marriage of boring mutual tolerance and total acceptance versus the more challenging marital mess of the couples in this film.… Expand
  6. jdoc
    May 12, 2006
    9
    Far more serious than its surface suggests. Great acting, esp. from Gainsbourg.
  7. TerenceH.
    Apr 22, 2005
    7
    Thoroughly enjoyable.....a delicous view into what lies beneath...harmless.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
58 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lisa Nesselson
    40
    Repetitive and needlessly prolonged tale does build to an inspired final scene, but it's too little, too late.
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  2. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: David Ng
    20
    This would-be comedy about a thirtysomething family man (Attal) and his foray into infidelity is probably the worst in the putrid bushel of recent Gallic imports.
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  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    Nobody does adultery in movies with more style and zest than the French, especially when the mode is frivolous. And anyone who watches Happily Ever After can identify with the grass-is-always-greener daydreams that haunt its characters.
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