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Happiness

Play trailer Poster for Happiness 1998 2h 19m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
84% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
This dark ensemble-comedy is centered on the three Jordan sisters. Joy (Jane Adams) moves through lackluster jobs with no sense of purpose. Now employed teaching adults, she is dating a student, Russian taxi-driver Vlad (Jared Harris). Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an esteemed poet who becomes amused by her perverted neighbor, Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And eldest sister Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret life.
Happiness

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Happiness is far from a cheerful viewing experience, but its grimly humorous script and fearless performances produce a perversely moving search for humanity within everyday depravity.

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Critics Reviews

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Chuck Bowen Slant Magazine 09/27/2024
Happiness is a caustic, beautiful, funny, tiresome, and brilliant Molotov cocktail. Go to Full Review Paul Tatara CNN.com 02/07/2018
As sharp as some of the writing is, Solondz is still not enough of a director to successfully negotiate this emotional minefield. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 10/20/2009
B+
Exhibits an almost pitch-perfect balance between condescension and compassion. Go to Full Review Joshua Ryan FandomWire 10/01/2024
9/10
The fact that Todd Solondz takes such a straightforward approach to telling such a taboo story is exactly why it works; however, its also exactly why its such a difficult film to watch. Go to Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk 09/30/2024
3.5/4
caustic to the point of being difficult to watch, but it is also undeniably infused with a sense of shared humanity and empathy for its characters, all of whom are struggling with their own demons Go to Full Review Rudie Obias Battleship Pretension 09/28/2024
It’s for those who have an open-mind to its themes and characters. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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revolver.0 8 @Revolver08 Apr 8 one of the ironic black comedies out there, sometimes even too on the edge of darkness See more Josh N @RT53511930 Nov 15 I don't care if it's transgressive or gross. Plenty of great movies are one or both of those things. I care that it's empty. At a fundamental level it has nothing to say. There's no recognizable human behavior or emotion, not a single believable line of dialog. It just drips with contempt for the characters and audience. I truly believe if it weren't so gross, it would be easy to see how poorly written and directed it is. Shame to waste titanic talent like Philip Seymour Hoffman on the cinematic equivalent of a guy flashing people in the park. See more Frank M @RT60797550 Sep 21 Just gross. If you think raping two boys is considered dark comedy I don't know what to tell you. The storyline is also mid at best. Concerning how many people rated this so highly. See more Sergio A @Sergio83 Aug 2 Happiness is not titled that way because of what happens in the film, but because it reflects what the characters long for. It’s a film that deals with painful and uncomfortable themes, blending dark comedy, drama, and satire. It’s the kind of movie that probably couldn’t be made today. It’s not for everyone, and that’s precisely what makes it so remarkable, that duality between what it shows and what it evokes. A bold and disturbing film that leaves a lasting impression. See more Pam K @RT05300553 06/10/2025 Wonderfully funny while being quite sad in parts. The writing is great! See more john h @RT11274104 06/05/2025 A crudely funny experience contrasted with an in-depth speculation and representation of mental health. See more Read all reviews
Happiness

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Cast & Crew

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Todd Solondz

Director

Jane Adams

Joy Jordan

Dylan Baker

Bill Maplewood

Lara Flynn Boyle

Helen Jordan

Ben Gazzara

Lenny Jordan

Jared Harris

Vlad

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Happiness

Happiness (1998) Happiness (1998) Happiness (1998) Elizabeth Ashley. Jon Lovitz and Jane Adams. Dylan Baker. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Camryn Manheim. Cynthia Stevenson, Rufus Reed and Justin Elvin. Marla Maples and Louise Lasser. Jared Harris. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This dark ensemble-comedy is centered on the three Jordan sisters. Joy (Jane Adams) moves through lackluster jobs with no sense of purpose. Now employed teaching adults, she is dating a student, Russian taxi-driver Vlad (Jared Harris). Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an esteemed poet who becomes amused by her perverted neighbor, Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And eldest sister Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret life.
Director
Todd Solondz
Producer
Ted Hope, Christine Vachon
Screenwriter
Todd Solondz
Distributor
Good Machine International
Production Co
Good Machine, Killer Films
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.0M
Runtime
2h 19m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Surround