Happiness is a 1998 film by director Todd Solondz, previously best known for his solid work on "Welcome to the Dollhouse". Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars, and rated it #5 in his top 10 films of 1998. In his review, he wrote: "...the depraved are only seeking what we all seek, but with a lack of ordinary moral vision... In a film that looks into the abyss of human despair, there is the horrifying suggestion that these characters may not be grotesque exceptions, but may in fact be part of the mainstream of humanity....It is not a film for most people. It is certainly for adults only. But it shows Todd Solondz as a filmmaker who deserves attention, who hears the unhappiness in the air and seeks its sources."
For a black comedy with extremely controversial subject matter it was unusually well received critically, and is considered something of a cult classic, despite never receiving widespread popular acclaim.
karlstech said:
Are you happy? Yes, no? Why?
Sometimes?
People aren't really "Happy" in the same way they're "Hungry" or "Horny". It's a much more diffuse emotion, that takes on many forms, and may ebb or flow from minute to minute. I'm happy because this soup tastes good, and now I'm miserable because I spilled some in my lap.