Happiness (1998)
Comedy, Drama.
Happiness is black comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz, that portrays the lives of three sisters, their families, and those around them. The film was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
This dark ensemble-comedy is centered on the three Jordan sisters. Joy (Jane Adams) moves through lackluster jobs with no sense of purpose. Now employed teaching adults, she is dating a student, Russian taxi-driver Vlad (Jared Harris). Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an esteemed poet who becomes amused by her perverted neighbor, Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And eldest sister Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret life.
Director: Todd Solondz
Writer: Todd Solondz
Stars: Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson, Ben Gazzara
►Cast:
| Jane Adams | ► | Joy Jordan |
| Jon Lovitz | ► | Andy Kornbluth |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | ► | Allen |
| Dylan Baker | ► | Bill Maplewood |
| Lara Flynn Boyle | ► | Helen Jordan |
| Justin Elvin | ► | Timmy Maplewood |
| Cynthia Stevenson | ► | Trish Maplewood |
| Lila Glantzman-Leib | ► | Chloe Maplewood |
| Henry | ► | Kooki the Dog |
| Gerry Becker | ► | Psychiatrist |
| Rufus Read | ► | Billy Maplewood |
| Louise Lasser | ► | Mona Jordan |
| Ben Gazzara | ► | Lenny Jordan |
| Camryn Manheim | ► | Kristina |
| Arthur J. Nascarella | ► | Detective Berman |
| Molly Shannon | ► | Nancy |
| Ann Harada | ► | Kay |
| Douglas McGrath | ► | Tom |
| Eric Marcus | ► | Courteous Waiter |
| Eytan Mirsky | ► | Angry Picketer |
| Lisa Louise Langford | ► | Radical Picketer |
| Anne Bobby | ► | Rhonda |
| Socorro Santiago | ► | Crying Teacher |
| Allison Furman | ► | Consoling Teacher |
| Wai Ching Ho | ► | Student #1 |
| Bina Sharif | ► | Student #2 |
| Tsepo Mokone | ► | Student #3 |
| Jared Harris | ► | Vlad |
| Dan Moran | ► | Joe Grasso |
| Evan Silverberg | ► | Johnny Grasso |
| Marla Maples | ► | Ann Chambeau |
| Hope Pomerance | ► | Hysterical Woman |
| Matt Malloy | ► | Doctor |
| Elizabeth Ashley | ► | Diane Freed |
| Dan Tedlie | ► | Don |
| Marina Gayzidorskaya | ► | Zhenia |
| Johann Carlo | ► | Betty Grasso |
| Joe Lisi | ► | Police Detective |
| José Rabelo | ► | Pedro |
| Diane Tyler | ► | Janet |
| Olga Stepanova | ► | Zhenia’s Mother |
| Todd Solondz | ► | Doorman |