Happiness (1998) (Blu-ray) (UK Import)

As disturbingly funny as it is audaciously empathetic, auteur of unease Todd Solondz’s portrait of damaged souls reaching out for connection reveals the existential void underneath middle-class suburban “normalcy.” An extraordinary ensemble cast—including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ben Gazzara, and Dylan Baker—embodies an array of loosely connected New Jersey deviants, depressives, and misfits, among them a frustrated phone-sex pest, an all-American dad concealing his paedophilic urges, and a lonely woman with a grisly secret, all of whom want just one thing: to be loved. One of the most controversial films of the 1990s, the unflinching Happiness unnerves precisely because it dares to see the humanity in those most often denied it.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director of photography Maryse Alberti, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
New conversation between director Todd Solondz and filmmaker Charlotte Wells
New interview with actor Dylan Baker
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by novelist and screenwriter Bruce Wagner
New cover based on original poster art by Daniel Clowes

Extras:

Language(s): English, Hard of Hearing Subtitles: English, Interactive Menu, Screen ratio 1: 1.85, 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio, Bonus Footage, Interviews: Dylan Baker (actor), Conversation between Todd Solondz (director) and Charlotte Wells (filmmaker); Essay by Bruce Wagner (novelist / screenwriter), Trailers

Rezensionen

Filmecho/Filmwochen: "Diese Geschichten von Liebe und Begehren verwebt Solondz meisterhaft zu einer realistischen und schonungslosen Bestandsaufnahme der Mittelklasse - Familie.​" Blickpunkt Film: "Ein ätzend bösartiges 'Verrückt nach Mary' für Intellektuelle.​" AZ: "Ein sehenswerter Seelen - Striptease, ohne vordergründige Sensationen, beklemmend und fesselnd.​" Focus: "Ein schaurig - schönes Meisterwerk.​" Elle: "Eine wunderbar gemeine Komödie.​" Der Spiegel: "Einer des besten Filme des Jahrgangs.​"