I think all the reviews I've read have given away way too much of the plot, so I won't do that here. But just in case you've not heard the controversy (the film was dropped by its original distributor when the parent corporation got cold feet about the subject matter), this is a film about a lot of disturbing topics: loneliness, madness, despair, rape, Bobbittry, and oh yeah, pedophilia. And there are some truly disturbing, painful scenes. But actually, it's really damn funny. Sometimes you're kind of horrified that you're laughing at this stuff, but you can't stop. The writing is sharp, and although the characters make horrendously bad choices, it doesn't really seem out of character for them.
Dylan Baker is the standout in a great cast -- he's absolutely stunning in what must have been a very difficult role to play. Camryn Manheim (of "The Practice") is also terrific in a small part. I had a problem with the three sisters who are at the heart of this movie, though: Claire (Lara Flynn Boyle), Trish (Cynthia Stevenson), and Joy (I forget her name). Boyle is fine as the ice queen who seems to have it all but still is unhappy, but the other two are way too whiny. Stevenson plays the only part she ever plays, that of the preternaturally perky control freak who tries to cover the cracks in her life with a big, tense smile. Joy always seems out of focus.
I recommend this film, but only for certain people -- you know who you are. In other words, if you think the title "Happiness" indicates that the movie will involve plenty of it, and this actually makes you WANT to go see it -- don't. Those of you who don't necessarily see "disturbing" as a bad thing, who can appreciate people whose lives have twisted out of their control, people who are ashamed of living or feeling the way they do but don't know how to change -- you'll love this film. Another of those gems that gives the indie market a good name: smart, complex, fearless, funny, and totally unlike any movie a Hollywood studio would touch with a ten-foot pole.
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