Happiness - TNL Movie Club Season 2

[Frogacuda]

I've been a fan of Welcome to the Dollhouse since I first saw it when I was not much older than the characters in the film. In New Jersey, and at my age, it was pretty much required viewing. But it wasn't until maybe a year ago that I decided to finally catch up on the rest of Todd Solondz's body of work, and I'm sorry I waited so long. So I decided to make my selection his third film, Happiness. I'm hoping everyone here hasn't seen it already.



The ironically titled movie is probably one of the most relentlessly dark comedies I've ever seen, and also one of the funniest. Rape, murder, and pederasty are all central points in some hilarious scenes, amazingly enough.

But what I think is so endearing about this film, and Solondz's others, is that humor isn't used to mock the characters, but rather to humanize them. The flawed characters are conflicted, three dimensional, and ultimately sympathetic, even when their actions aren't. It's this non-judgemental treatment that really makes Happiness stand out for me.

[bbobb]

Nice choice. Insanely dark movie, especially the Psychiatrist character, his shit is just outright distrubing.

Also, Hoffman is amazing in this movie as he is in every movie he is in.

[Timber]

This sounds like my kind of flick. I'll give it a watch in the next couple of days.

[D_N_G]

yes, this film is seriously fucked up, which makes it absolutely amazing.

ill have to watch this again now so i can refresh its disturbed essence into my mind

[Rumpy]

To Netflix I go.

[MVS]

I'll rent it tomorrow.

[DumpTruck]

This sounds like my kind of flick. I'll give it a watch in the next couple of days.

lemme know if you get this, i wanna watch it too

[epmode]

I still like the opening scene the most.

[animegirl]

This movie is pretty awesome. It's funny but you feel so bad for laughing because it's so fucked up.

Dad, there's blood in my BM!

Oh and:

The kid asking his dad if he would ever fuck him--sheesh that is one of the most uncomfortable movie moments ever

[StriderKyo]

I hate this movie so much. I can't think of something else that made me feel so bad about life after watching it.