Happiness (1998): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Happiness is a 1998 comedy drama directed by Todd Solondz, starring Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jane Adams. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $3 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Metro Media Award at the TIFF 1998. Critics gave it 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Todd Solondz
- Original language
-
Russian - Studio
- Good Machine
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Happiness About?
The premise of Happiness without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Several disparate individuals, each grappling with loneliness and unusual desires, find their lives unexpectedly intertwined. Their individual journeys to find connection and belonging lead to both humorous and heartbreaking encounters, revealing the blurry boundaries between love, eccentricity, and the search for genuine human connection. The film explores the complexities of relationships and the sometimes-unconventional paths people take in their quest for happiness.
Happiness Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- unhappiness
- dysfunctional family
- serial rapist
- child rape
- pedophile
- cult film
- ejaculation
- rape
- rape of a child
- call center
- male rape
- suburb
+38 more Show fewer
- social satire
- boy
- little boy
- ice cream
- family relationships
- episodic structure
- ensemble cast
- masturbation
- independent film
- title spoken by character
- overweight
- obscene telephone call
- dog
- sandwich
- semen
- psychotronic film
- f rated
- man wears eyeglasses
- boy wears eyeglasses
- breakup
- crying man
- holding hands
- masturbating to a magazine
- abuse
- cruelty
- baseball
- 11 year old
- children's magazine
- drugged sandwich
- playing a video game
- tuna sandwich
- masturbating in a car
- predator
- father son talk
- bunk bed
- cuddling
- spitting in someone's face
- reference to tamagotchi
Happiness Cast
Jon Lovitz leads the cast, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jane Adams. Directed by Todd Solondz.
-
Director Todd Solondz
More from Todd Solondz
More films directed by Todd Solondz, best-rated first: Welcome to the Dollhouse, Life During Wartime, Dark Horse and Wiener-Dog.
Happiness Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Happiness 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
-
IMDb 7.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 81 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB
Happiness Plot Summary
What happens in Happiness from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Happiness is a complex and thought-provoking ensemble drama that intertwines various narratives. The story centers on Joy, the youngest of three sisters, who begins her journey by ending a toxic relationship. Her ex responds with an unexpected and malicious outburst, leading to his tragic decision to take his own life just days later. In search of purpose and societal contribution, Joy takes a job at a refugee education center. Unfortunately, she quickly finds herself at odds with her students, who resent her for crossing the picket line during a teachers’ strike. The only student who shows her kindness ultimately betrays her trust, seducing her only to then rob her and demand $1,000 – a request to which she reluctantly agrees.
Full summary
The whole story of Happiness, scene by scene
Happiness Box Office
Happiness grossed $3 million worldwide. $3 million came from the US and Canada and $310 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3M
- US & Canada
- $3M
- International
- $310
Happiness Awards & Nominations
Happiness won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Metro Media Award at the TIFF 1998. Its biggest night was the TIFF 1998, with 1 win from 1 nomination.
1 win5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 1999 3 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Todd Solondz
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Dylan Baker
- Nominated Best Supporting Male – Philip Seymour Hoffman
-
Golden Globes 1999 1 nomination- Nominated Best Screenplay
-
TIFF 1998 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Metro Media Award – Todd Solondz
Happiness Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Happiness.
How Well Do You Know Happiness?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who does Joy walk away from at the beginning of the film?
Cars in Happiness
12 cars on screen, including the 1997 Buick LeSabre and the 1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.
-
1997 Buick LeSabre Important role -
1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role -
1984 Chevrolet B-60 Minor role -
1997 Dodge Caravan Minor role
Happiness Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “愛我就讓我快樂” and “Счастье, happiness”.
- Also known as
-
- 愛我就讓我快樂
- Счастье, happiness
- Happiness - Felicità
- Felicidade
- 爱我就让我快乐
- Mutluluk
- A boldogságtól ordítani
- Fericire
- אושר
- Щастие
- Щастя
- ハピネス, ბედნიერება
+3 more Show fewer
- 해피니스
- Štěstí
- Felicidad
Seen Happiness?
Movies Like Happiness
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Happiness Runs, Happiness and Something Like Happiness.
Happiness FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Happiness, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Happiness?
Happiness runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was Happiness released?
Happiness was released on October 16, 1998.
Who directed Happiness?
Happiness was directed by Todd Solondz.
More films by Todd Solondz Who is in the cast of Happiness?
Happiness stars Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jane Adams.
How much did Happiness make at the box office?
Happiness grossed $3 million worldwide ($3 million domestic, $310 international).
How is Happiness rated?
Happiness has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 81 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
What awards did Happiness win?
Happiness won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Metro Media Award at the TIFF 1998.
Does Happiness have a post-credit scene?
No. Happiness has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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