Happiness

by Todd Solondz

Happiness, a film at once hilariously sardonic and profoundly unsettling, tells a series of interconnecting love stories set in American suburbia. Award-winning film-maker Todd Solondz explores the sorrows and desires of men and women - as they desperately try to navigate through the uncharted and most intimate aspects of their lives - with the same unremitting glance, and taste of dark humour, that gave his portrait of adolescence in Welcome to the Dollhouse such disturbing power.

Genres: American, Crime

Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Todd Solondz is an American independent film screenwriter and director known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire. Solondz has been critically acclaimed for his examination of the "dark underbelly of middle class American suburbia," a reflection of his own background in New Jersey

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably in my top three films of the 90s. So dark, and yet so funny. Couldn't resist reading the script.

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of shallow and Serial-esque. That kind of faux Newhart, Bob and Ray stuff that the Coen brothers are perenially skirting the edge of (when they skirt it). Actually the best part was probably the intro by one (and only) Eytan Mirsky. I guess I shall see the film next to see what they made of it. But poseur parodists are generally not my cup of tea (although I am of course quite the little wiseass).

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird stuff - happiness is found in the strangest places

[melancholinary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if it not made on the screen, the script itself is one of the best thing I ever read.