Happiness

Name: Happiness
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: October 16, 1998
Duration: 134 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman

1998

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 207 Ratings

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2.6

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2.6	Your Score
2.6	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 207 Ratings

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Happiness

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Movie Details & Credits

Good Machine | Release Date: October 16, 1998 | Open

Starring: Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Summary: A series of intertwining love stories, stories of connections missed and made between people, how people always struggle to make a connection, and to what degree they succeed or don't. (Good Machine Releasing)

Director: Todd Solondz

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Open

Runtime: 134 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

It is not a film for most people. It is certainly for adults only. But it shows Todd Solondz as a filmmaker who deserves attention, who hears the unhappiness in the air and seeks its sources. Read full review

100

Ron Wells

Take the safety off of the comedy Magnum called Happiness and put the barrel in your mouth. You'll laugh your ass off as it takes off the back of your head...It could be the best film of the year. At the very least, I'll never forget it. Read full review

100

New Times (L.A.) Bill Gallo

Weaving many interconnected plot lines and more than a dozen lives together, this gifted writer-director has fashioned a bleak, brilliant comedy about loneliness, lovelessness, and alienation--a film that constantly upends our assumptions about what is heartbreaking, what is hilarious, and what is both. Read full review

Mike Clark

One of the most challenging movies in years. Read full review

J. Hoberman

If Hollywood were truly devoted to telling it like it is, Baker would win a special Oscar. To add to the creepiness, Solondz is (as he made clear in Dollhouse) an extremely sensitive director of kids. Read full review

Edward Guthmann

The aftertaste of that father-son scene is so strong, so disturbing, that the riches of Happiness -- its writing, its performances, its trenchant wit -- all seem a bit diminished in the bargain. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Solondz's filmmaking style tries to make a virtue out of flatness and distance, and is always more comfortable indicating where feelings would go than actually providing them. Read full review

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User Reviews

talisencrw

Sep 19, 2014

Truly one of the finest independent American films I have ever seen. A deserved masterpiece. It may be difficult for the modern-day world to watch but it's also equally as necessary. Having seen it now both originally at theatres and now recently on video, my only qualm is that now it seemsTruly one of the finest independent American films I have ever seen. A deserved masterpiece. It may be difficult for the modern-day world to watch but it's also equally as necessary. Having seen it now both originally at theatres and now recently on video, my only qualm is that now it seems to be edited somewhat. I hope in future the original version can be seen.… Expand

3 of 22 users found this helpful319

JoshC

Nov 20, 2006

Masterfull! Todd Solondz for president.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

curiousbystandr

Jun 6, 2015

This is a thought provoking masterful movie definitely not for the emotionally faint-hearted (or closed-minded, which may amount to the same thing). It really reveals the nature of emotions and sexuality and the pathological disconnectedness of modern society. The movie is both very sad andThis is a thought provoking masterful movie definitely not for the emotionally faint-hearted (or closed-minded, which may amount to the same thing). It really reveals the nature of emotions and sexuality and the pathological disconnectedness of modern society. The movie is both very sad and extremely funny at the same time. I highly recommend this movie to film buffs and anyone who takes an interest in the heart of things.… Expand

3 of 19 users found this helpful316

LightsAndBulbs

Sep 18, 2022

Undervalued and underrated. A darkly humorous window into the lives of a bunch of people with a connected story all aimlessly searching for happiness in a cruel, hopeless world with a sick sense of humor. Every performance is incredibly strong, with both Jane Adams and Camryn Manheim feelingUndervalued and underrated. A darkly humorous window into the lives of a bunch of people with a connected story all aimlessly searching for happiness in a cruel, hopeless world with a sick sense of humor. Every performance is incredibly strong, with both Jane Adams and Camryn Manheim feeling especially like real world people. The film's humor is at times blatant, and at other times incredibly clever and subtle, and the drama is balanced very well, and is always appropriately toned. Rarely does the movie's comedy spoil its more serious parts (except at the end, when the dog... you know). That confession scene between William Maplewood and his son, Billy, is especially well-executed. Despite how many characters were in the film, every single one felt essential to the movie's message. Each one of them was also fleshed out, and unique. No matter who you are, chances are you'll relate to at least one character in this film. Let us just hope that it isn't Mr. Maplewood.
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Best Performance: Jane Adams (Although Camryn Manheim came close)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

csw12

Jan 4, 2014

Off the charts ridiculous. Happiness manages to be disturbing and kind of funny at the same time. The movie is too long and the characters are reprehensible, with scenes that were repulsive. I guess it will be a movie to remember but in more bad ways than good.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

AnthonyP.

Jul 12, 2008

Clever, yes, but so utterly cynical, so completely bitter: every single character is either singularly pathetic or reprehensible - almost no complexity or dimension to any person in the film, no handle to grasp anyone's humanity, unless you accept that humanity is just the pits! The Clever, yes, but so utterly cynical, so completely bitter: every single character is either singularly pathetic or reprehensible - almost no complexity or dimension to any person in the film, no handle to grasp anyone's humanity, unless you accept that humanity is just the pits! The writing is all affect; the lines, gratuitously sardonic: self-involved people happlessly dumping on one another, poisoning everyone, everything in the film, poisoning the film itself. There is no glimpse of potential for any character - no soul; all misery. What amazes me is how much favor it has found with the critics. Are they so cynical, so starved for originalty (one credit to this film) that they are happy to bathe in its abject, unrelenting wretchedness? It must be a holiday of schadenfreude for the culturally overfed!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Foliage22

Apr 4, 2021

Totally repulsive & utterly pointless. .............
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9 of 10 users found this helpful91

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

10	#10 Best Movie of 1998
43	#43 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
81	#81 Most Shared Movie of 1998