Happiness
1998. Written and directed by Todd Solondz. Starring Jane Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker, Camryn Manheim, Cynthia Stevenson, Ben Gazzara, Jon Lovitz.
I loved Happiness when I first saw it and added it to my dvd collection. Looking back at it for the first time in several years, it has lost a little for me. I am very glad to have seen it, but I probably won't revisit it again. What is most stunning about the film is the audacity of the subject matter as it tackles some subjects, especially pedophilia, that don't come near most movies. And it tackles them with observation instead of outright disgust - this is not to say it condones the actions but Solondz is interested in the character, not just creating an easy villain. The other reason to watch is the two best performances. Dylan Baker, as the father who can't keep his hands off of his son's friends, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as an awkward pervert who makes obscene phone calls, are both terrific. The script has some very good stuff in it, but the tone of the film is fairly uneven. The performances range from the highs of Baker and Hoffman to some real mediocre contributions (Lara Flynn Boyle). It is well worth seeing, but once is probably enough.
My grade: B+
I loved Happiness when I first saw it and added it to my dvd collection. Looking back at it for the first time in several years, it has lost a little for me. I am very glad to have seen it, but I probably won't revisit it again. What is most stunning about the film is the audacity of the subject matter as it tackles some subjects, especially pedophilia, that don't come near most movies. And it tackles them with observation instead of outright disgust - this is not to say it condones the actions but Solondz is interested in the character, not just creating an easy villain. The other reason to watch is the two best performances. Dylan Baker, as the father who can't keep his hands off of his son's friends, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as an awkward pervert who makes obscene phone calls, are both terrific. The script has some very good stuff in it, but the tone of the film is fairly uneven. The performances range from the highs of Baker and Hoffman to some real mediocre contributions (Lara Flynn Boyle). It is well worth seeing, but once is probably enough.
My grade: B+
posted by Keith Allison at 8:14 AM
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