DVD Corner

Happiness Criterion 4K UHD Review

“Happiness” is a warped dark comedy from the mind of Todd Solondz.     

1998’s “Happiness” revolves around the interconnected lives of 3 sisters, family members and acquaintances in suburban New Jersey. Trish has 3 children (including a son named Billy who is obsessed with trying to have an orgasm) and a psychiatrist husband named Bill who is secretly a repulsive, sick and deranged sex criminal that also has violent fantasies. Helen is a busy author who seeks love but can’t seem to find it. Joy is lost, unlucky in love, and trying to make changes in her life (including her job). The sisters’ parents Mona and Lenny live in Florida and have decided to separate but not divorce. Mona doesn’t know what to do next while Lenny attempts to live it up but discovers he feels empty. Helen has a neighbor named Allen (who is also a patient of Bill) that has a crush on her. He’s a nervous, desperate, sexually repressed weirdo who makes obscene phone calls. Allen’s neighbor Kristina has feelings for him, but she harbors a twisted secret to put it mildly. 

Challenging, boundary pushing, controversial, disturbing, call it what you will. “Happiness” is the type of movie that is certainly not for everyone nor would it ever be made in today’s climate. It’s an edgy dark comedy by writer/director Todd Solondz (best known for “Welcome To The Dollhouse”) that explores the dark corners of seemingly normal suburban life in which the characters are dysfunctional, messed up, lonely, and are trying to seek love, happiness, and connections. There’s some material within the story that many will find off-putting (namely the character of Bill). The filmography of Solondz itself can also be viewed as an acquired taste. Those with an open mind, however, will find “Happiness” to be a bold, original, daring satire that is unafraid to explore uncomfortable subject matters and deeply flawed characters. 26 years later, the film still manages to feel fresh and unlike anything else out there which is quite an accomplishment in this era of recycled ideas.

“Happiness” boasts an all-star cast featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker, Rufus Read, Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ben Gazzara, Jon Lovitz, Camryn Manheim, Elizabeth Ashley and Jared Harris. Highlights include Hoffman (Allen), Lara Flynn Boyle (who gives one of her finest performances), Manheim (whose character arc takes a wild turn), Read (Billy), and Dylan Baker who has the guts to take on a role few (if any) actors would ever take on with the repugnant Bill.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p WIth Dolby Vision HDR. How does it look? The 4K digital restoration provides a respectable upgrade that maintains the grain while offering up a sharper image quality.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a satisfactory 2.0 track.

Extras (On The Blu-ray):
* “Happiness” trailer
* A booklet with credits, pictures, and essay by screenwriter/author Bruce Wagner.
* A new 14 minute interview with actor Dylan Baker who talks about the role of Bill, set experiences, acting, seeing “Happiness,” and more.
* A newly recorded 41 minute interview between writer/director Todd Solondz and filmmaker Charlotte Wells (who worked with Solondz). Discussions range from Solondz’s career, film and TV, behind-the-scenes stories of making “Happiness,” audience reactions, time, etc.

September 23, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movies, Dylan Baker, Happiness Criterion 4K UHD Review, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Todd Solondz