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Happiness (1998)

Original Title : Happiness
Director : Todd Solondz
Writer : Todd Solondz
Genre : Drama
Comedy
Country : USA
Language : English
Producer : Ted Hope , Pamela Koffler , David Linde , James Schamus , Christine Vachon
Music : Robbie Kondor
Eytan Mirsky
Photography : Maryse Alberti
MPAA Rating : Rating surrendered, previously rated NC-17.
IMDB ID : 0147612
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poster for "Happiness" by Todd Solondz (1998)
Happiness (1998) - Todd Solondz
 

Starring

ÂJane Adams Joy Jordan
ÂJon Lovitz Andy Kornbluth
ÂPhilip Seymour Hoffman Allen
ÂDylan Baker Bill Maplewood
ÂLara Flynn Boyle Helen Jordan
ÂJustin Elvin Timmy Maplewood
ÂCynthia Stevenson Trish Maplewood
ÂLila Glantzman-Leib Chloe Maplewood
ÂGerry Becker Psychiatrist
ÂRufus Read Billy Maplewood
ÂLouise Lasser Mona Jordan
ÂBen Gazzara Lenny Jordan
ÂCamryn Manheim Kristina
ÂArthur J. Nascarella Detective Berman
ÂMolly Shannon Nancy
ÂAnn Harada Kay
ÂDouglas McGrath Tom
ÂDr. Eric Marcus Courteous Waiter
ÂEytan Mirsky Angry Picketer
ÂLisa Louise Langford Radical Picketer
ÂAnne Bobby Rhonda
ÂSocorro Santiago Crying Teacher
ÂAllison Furman Consoling Teacher
ÂWai Ching Ho Student
ÂBina Sharif Student
ÂTsepo Mokone Student
ÂJared Harris Vlad
ÂDan Moran Joe Grasso
ÂEvan Silverberg Johnny Grasso
ÂMarla Maples Ann Chambeau
ÂHope Pomerance Hysterical Woman
ÂMatt Malloy Doctor
ÂElizabeth Ashley Diane Freed
ÂDan Tedlie Don
ÂMarina Gaizidorskia Zhenia
ÂJohann Carlo Betty Grasso
ÂJoe Lisi Police Detective
ÂJosé Rabelo Pedro
ÂDiane Tyler Janet
ÂOlga Stepanova Zhenia's Mother
 

Plot

When a young woman (Jane Adams) rejects her current overweight suitor (Jon Lovitz) in a restaurant, he unexpectedly places a curse on her. The film then moves on to her sisters. One (Cynthia Stevenson) is a happily married woman with a psychiatrist husband (Dylan Baker) and three kids. Unfortunately the husband develops an unnatural fascination for his 11 year old son's male classmates, fantasizes about mass killing in a park, and masturbates to teen magazines. One of his patients (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has an unrequited fascination for the third sister (Lara Flynn Boyle). Meanwhile the apparently stable 40 year marriage of the sister's parents (Ben Gazzara, Louise Lasser) suddenly unravels when he decides he has had enough and wants to live a hermit's life in Florida. Obviously, the whole movie is slightly warped in its viewpoint and certainly presents abnormal relationships among all of its parties.
 

Comments

Sex: it's on everyone's mind! The sexual foibles, perversities and hang-ups of a trio of sisters, their parents, neighbors and friends--told in a low, slightly monotone, key. It's a rich carousel of scared, scary lives with an inter-connecting pattern: the disillusionment of coupling--and how one keeps trying to succeed in this department despite the humiliations. Pretty funny once you get the idea--and only if you're attuned to this kind of sick black humor. Not for the faint of heart, but extremely clever concoction from talented writer-director Todd Solondz(whose first film, "Welcome To The Dollhouse", struck me as a stunt). This one is frank, funny, and very warped--almost over-the-top in places(especially the ending)but kept on track by terrific, terrific performances. Some might compare this to the later "Magnolia"(they're both tapestry films), but this one is superior, and certainly less pretentious.
 
poster for "Happiness"
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Happiness (1998) - Todd Solondz
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