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Happiness (1998)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Todd Solondz (writer)
Release Date:
16 October 1998 (USA)
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Plot:
Three middle-class New Jersey sisters all have their problems with their families and sex lives. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Sister
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Restaurant
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Marriage
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Parent
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New Jersey
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Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe.
Another 9 wins
&
12 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(61 articles)
Tiff 2009 Day 6: Todd Solondz's Life During Wartime
(From ioncinema. 30 November 2009, 1:32 AM, PST)
Lizard Watch: Dylan Baker May Be Back for 'Spidey 4'
(From Get The Big Picture. 22 October 2009, 9:01 PM, PDT)
(From ioncinema. 30 November 2009, 1:32 AM, PST)
Lizard Watch: Dylan Baker May Be Back for 'Spidey 4'
(From Get The Big Picture. 22 October 2009, 9:01 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Polarizing
more (469 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jane Adams | ... | Joy Jordan | |
| Jon Lovitz | ... | Andy Kornbluth | |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | ... | Allen | |
| Dylan Baker | ... | Bill Maplewood | |
| Lara Flynn Boyle | ... | Helen Jordan | |
| Justin Elvin | ... | Timmy Maplewood | |
| Cynthia Stevenson | ... | Trish Maplewood | |
| Lila Glantzman-Leib | ... | Chloe Maplewood | |
| Gerry Becker | ... | Psychiatrist | |
| Rufus Read | ... | Billy Maplewood | |
| Louise Lasser | ... | Mona Jordan | |
| Ben Gazzara | ... | Lenny Jordan | |
| Camryn Manheim | ... | Kristina | |
| Arthur J. Nascarella | ... | Detective Berman | |
| Molly Shannon | ... | Nancy |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Todd Solondz's Untitled (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rating surrendered; previously rated NC-17.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
134 min | USA:141 min (DVD)
Country:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:16+ (Quebec) |
Canada:18A (British Columbia) |
Canada:R (Alberta/Nova Scotia/Ontario) |
Singapore:R21 |
Argentina:18 |
Australia:MA (cable rating) |
Australia:R (original rating) |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-12 |
Germany:16 |
Hong Kong:III |
Iceland:16 |
Italy:VM18 |
Netherlands:12 |
New Zealand:R18 |
Norway:15 |
Portugal:M/18 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:18 |
USA:NC-17 (original rating: 1999) |
USA:Open (rating surrendered: 1999)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Cameo: [Todd Solondz]as the doorman in Allen, Helen, and Kristina's building.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: The number on top of Vlad's taxi is 5C19, while the license plate number is 8H69. On an actual New York City taxi, these numbers would match.
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Quotes:
Joy Jordan:
[singing] It seems the things I've wanted in my life I've never had. And so it's no surprise that living only leaves me sad. Happiness, where are you? I've searched so long for you. Happiness, what are you? I haven't got a clue. Happiness, why do you have to stay... so far away... from me?
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Indie Sex: Taboos (2001) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Eternal Lighthouse
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (469 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Happiness (1998) moreRecommendations
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There are only a handful of films that have a distinct polarizing affect on the audience--A Clockwork Orange, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, and I would even lump in American Beauty--these are movies you either get, or you don't. And if you don't get it, you will hate it. Open minded viewers need only apply, and that's certainly the case with "Happiness." I remember leaving the theater absolutely shocked, and not just because of the events on screen. I was shocked that I found the movie so intelligent and oddly entertaining. The actors surely must have felt that, after reading the screenplay. And there are some big actors in this--veterans like Ben Gazzara, Louise Lasser, Elizabeth Ashley, mixing with new talent like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Camryn Manheim, Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, etc.
The subject matter is truly unsettling--a parental figure, respected in his community, does some horrible things, and this is the main reason why so many people have a hard time with this movie. Did this material really need to be examined in modern cinema? Well, yes--in the same way that David Lynch had to explore it in Blue Velvet. Happiness is a masterpiece of irony (even in the title), and finds humor in the most unusual and downright bizarre circumstances. You will not see another movie like it. Guaranteed. And fair warning--you could very well despise it. And it's probably a fair estimate that its writer/director, Todd Solondz, doesn't give a damn.