First off this movie is well put together and i really enjoyed the acting. As far as the film itself i would not recommend this if you have any problems mentally or go though crap in real life. there are funny bits and the film goes smooth but i highly see this movie causing some folks to be depressed alot and this movie is not for the analytical minded person.

"Happiness" isn't very happy, it's quite a lethargic viewing process at times but it achieves exactly what it sets out to achieve - a constant state of viewing irony. Todd Solondz, the director/writer is all about pushing the viewer's boundaries and comfort zones.'Do you really love me no matter what?' a scene where Bill Maplewood asks his wife, Trish the very question we all ask our loved ones at some point. His character is aware of the depraved nature of his being yet he functions as a good parent, a respected member of society yet underneath he admits he's sick meanwhile his wife ironically thinks they have a perfect life and while Trish lives a life of constant comparison to one sister who is a success story and another who is a failure. Her illness is one of gratification by this very daily contrast.Helen's character is one who has the admiration, the success and attention of everybody yet she's still not happy, to her own detriment, as her self-critical nature will not allow happiness, with a scene where she repeats to herself "I'm zero, I'm no good. I'm nothing, nothing." then without a beat the phone rings giving her exactly what she wants, Allen describing exactly how she feels "You are empty. You are a zero. You are a black hole.'Philip Seymour Hoffman's character Allen is a great example of how many men live their lives. Feeling like outsiders, almost alien to beautiful women. His character is one of considerable irony as he mentions early in the film "See if she only knew how I felt. deep down if I really cared for her, respected her. She would love me back." Is this line full of deep despair but more importantly irony as Allen gratifies his sexual desires by cold calling random women speaking to them in degrading ways to satisfy his sexual needs yet he can't even say more than a hello in person.Even Joy's character, one of sadness and melancholy where nothing seems to go right for her seems to have been doomed right from the beginning for just having the name Joy. Happiness is a great movie overall, a great cast and it serves as unique work of cinema as there aren't many films like it.How do you feel at the end?, well unlike Bill's character after his dream, you don't wake up happy, feeling good.you get very depressed, because you're back living in reality.

Similar to how movie critics make something relevant all of sudden, they will likely to do this to movie primarily because its dark and honest and really beat many other movie to that weird "indie-dark-mumblecore bullshit" i'm mainly putting this hear so I have proof later to call reddit, and other stupid movie lovers on their bullshit of following whatever Hollywood tells them is good.It's a good film that will get it's mainstream praise eventually, its just thats is already good it doesn't need mainstream praise, if some movie critic in the future brings this movie out to the public eye again, it will only be because they are trying to seem more "informative" and trying to making a name for themselves.

I just finished watching this film and as the ending hit, I burst into laughter. Not because it was funny (there is plenty of dark humor), but because I was emotionally exhausted and didn't know what else to do.The way I can best describe what I've just witnessed is 'quietly vicious'. There is a surreal absurdity to it all and though I couldn't really identify with any of the characters, it's honesty and brutality will leave marks on me for days to come."Happiness" examines the cruel undercurrent beneath the thin veneer of 'everything is fine' and follows the lives of a trio of sisters, their parents and some surrounding characters. The performances are nothing short of astounding as they chip away at their passive-aggressive, suburban lives and the madness hidden therein.This film pushes all kinds of boundaries and contains some of the most uncomfortable scenes I've ever laid eyes on. It is not for the faint of heart or mind.I don't want to say anything else because the less you know, the better this film is. I went in cold and it hit me like a ton of bricks.Love it or hate it (I can't decide which), it's an experience that will stay with you.