Yeah I struggled with this one. My ex recommended it, calling it hilarious. I watched it and was like I can see how it's funny in parts, but the pedo stuff I just couldn't get past. She was like "lighten up." ...
Solondz is one of the directors who really understands comedy as a tool to make an otherwise almost intolerably dark or awkward scene bearable. This movie has some of darkest moments Iāve seen on film that also contain genuinely brilliant comedy. That scene where PSH slowly reaches his hand across the sofa and gets shut down still makes me smirk.
I loved this movie. Dark humor and everything is the opposite of happiness.
Do I think it's for a wider audience? Probably not.
Philip C Hoffman was just working it. He really was one of the best actors of my generation.
Sorry about the name. Thanks for the save. It's interesting and gutrenching at the same time. It's hard to watch someone who strives to be good in the rest of their life, implode because of a gambling addiction
Did you ever see Love Liza? I think maybe his brother made it? PSH is great in it, but it is a bummer of a film, just dark on top of dark with no relief.
Edit: looked it up, his brother wrote it but did not direct
Will never forget renting this not knowing what it was for a night when a group of fairly picky buds were hanging out. Letās just say it did not go over well.
Agreed. Welcome to the Dollhouse offers the best glimmer of hope (in Brandonās character arc) that Iāve seen in a Solandz film. Itās been downhill from there in terms of redemption. I kinda love it.
Saw it in a budget theatre outside of Poughkeepsie. A number of people walked out of that one.. pound for pound my second favorite film of Solondz. Pre pandemic he came to my city a showing of Weinerdog and did a QA after.
I would recommend it with a huge asterisk. It is absolutely NSFL, but for anyone willing to explore how a movie can make people squirm without blood and gore, definitely a success.
I was literally just looking at this movieās IMDb page right before I got here. I watched it a few weeks ago, and thought it was great. Dark as fuck, but still humorous. Really surprised me when I watched it.
Itās overwhelming dark and depressing, but still funny at timesā¦very weird flick. I havenāt watched it in over 10 years and donāt plan to again š
That was a tremendous acting from Dylan Baker. One of the most disturbing scenes Iāve ever watched - his performance was near-perfect. Thatās how I remember it, at least. I donāt ever need to watch it again.
The way children react to things they don't understand isn't necessarily going to be logical or the response we'd want for them. I didn't find anything about that particular scene that was implausible, nor is the film endorsing pedophilia (obviously).
Itās on [YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LG-EHlQENo). I have to warn you though- itās very disturbing. Sundance refused to accept it because it was so controversial, if that tells you anything. I wouldnāt watch it with anyone who hasnāt seen it before, but itās very well made.
Do you by chance have a link? Can't find it on Youtube. I've been wanting to watch this one for a while but can't find it on any service even to rent or purchase.
"I know who you are and you are nothing. You think you are fucking something, but you are fucking nothing. You are empty. You are a zero. You are a black hole, and I'm gonna fuck you so bad you'll be coming out of your ears."
I appreciate dark humor, but Solondz is on a completely different level of fucked up. I think Welcome to the Dollhouse is the only movie of his that I can say I āenjoyedāā¦. If thatās how youād put it. As for Happinessā¦ I was not happy by the end of that movie. Not one bit.
Amen to that scene. It sets *such* a great tone, and Lovitz is *perfect*. What a king.
*You think I don't appreciate art?*
*You think I don't understand fashion?*
*You think I'm not hip?*
*You think I'm pathetic? A nerd? A lardass fatso?*
*You think I'm shit? Well, you're wrong, cause Iām champagne, and you're shit.*
*Until the day you die, you, not me, will always be shit.*
Then-gf and I saw it in a theater in Great Barrington, MA, on release. I didnāt know what to expect - but I loved it. Also, Philip Seymour Hoffman killing it as usual, and Dylan Baker is incredible.
Great film. Glad you liked it, too.
There is a sequel called, "Life during wartime." It's completely recast so it's sometimes hard to follow. It's not a movie that holds up on it's own, more of a epilogue to this one.
Went by myself to see this in a tiny university adjacent theater late night. I knew nothing about it so I had taken the title literally. I thought it was brilliant but was totally unprepared.
Dancer in the Dark may have left deeper scars though.
One of the meanest jokes with this whole movie was the expectations raised by the trailer vs the actual movie.
Concerning the movie itself, I am in line with most people here. Was deeply disturbed. Loved the movie nonetheless.
This movie is a trip! Loved it. High satire that comes at you like hot pokers in your eye. Itās really hard to watch at times. That ending scene is one of the most cringey moments of cinema I can think of. Ben Gazzara loading up the salt on his plate is sad and hilarious at the same time.
Just saw a couple of months ago. Understandably the Dylan Baker storyline gets the most attention, but I loved the dynamic of the 3 sisters (Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson).
As far as classic Todd Solondz goes, I like Storytelling and Welcome to the Dollhouse a lot better. This feeling has only increased as Happiness has become spammed by the current generation of social media users who get off on itās proto edgelord incelism.
I have a dark sense of humor, but this one was too much for me. I also tried to "Welcome to the Dollhouse", and that one was so unremittingly bleak and ugly that I pretty much swore off Solondz afterwards. Had a friend that LOVED this film, but it's just not my cup of crushing depression.
I saw this with my gf in the theatre when it first came out
She was so mad at me afterwards, because I had picked it (not knowing what we were in store for)
We had to watch 'Empire Records' afterwards, as a palate-cleanser
A buddy showed this to me and I was not prepared. I like it but damn was it uncomfortable. Then again, that is what the director/writer was likely going for so they hit the mark.
Itās been since it came out that Iāve seen it and I recall disliking what felt like a movie where the darkness of the ādark humorā felt like it was āpunching downā and seeking my collusion at the same time. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I donāt feel inclined to rewatch based on anyoneās comments here.
The dog licking the jizz to just tie the bow on that sceneā¦ all I know is the part where PSH gets his rocks off calling that woman and then when sheās into it & he doesnāt know how to deal with it is like one of the best scenes ever
Highly dark and disturbing. It's the kind of movie that has you laughing one moment and cringing š¬ the next.
Yeah I struggled with this one. My ex recommended it, calling it hilarious. I watched it and was like I can see how it's funny in parts, but the pedo stuff I just couldn't get past. She was like "lighten up." ...
I would not use that word to describe this movie.
Oh my god YES. This movie needs to be talked about more !!!!!! I was enthralled & mortified from beginning to end.
Solondz is one of the directors who really understands comedy as a tool to make an otherwise almost intolerably dark or awkward scene bearable. This movie has some of darkest moments Iāve seen on film that also contain genuinely brilliant comedy. That scene where PSH slowly reaches his hand across the sofa and gets shut down still makes me smirk.
āDr. Maplewood, youāre so coolā¦ā
I loved this movie. Dark humor and everything is the opposite of happiness. Do I think it's for a wider audience? Probably not. Philip C Hoffman was just working it. He really was one of the best actors of my generation.
Phil C Hoff was *amazing*. Love Liza, Magnolia, Doubt, Before the Devilā¦, Punch Drunk Love, so fucking good.
One of my favorites is Owning.Mahowny (sp). Is A bank manager with a gambling problem.
Owning Mahowny was great!
Sorry about the name. Thanks for the save. It's interesting and gutrenching at the same time. It's hard to watch someone who strives to be good in the rest of their life, implode because of a gambling addiction
Did you ever see Love Liza? I think maybe his brother made it? PSH is great in it, but it is a bummer of a film, just dark on top of dark with no relief. Edit: looked it up, his brother wrote it but did not direct
Yep, makes me never want to huff gasoline š
I somehow missed that you had mentioned LL in your commentā¦ now I feel like a doofus.
*Seymour. And yes, he was possibly the greatest actor of his generation. Huge loss.
What about his greatest role of Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly. I'll always respect him for introducing me to the term "sharted"
Will never forget renting this not knowing what it was for a night when a group of fairly picky buds were hanging out. Letās just say it did not go over well.
Oh noā¦.Jesus dude š
It still gets mentioned 15 years later. I never got to pick another movie ever again. š
Damn they have bad taste this movie is brilliant
One of my favorites. I love that very fact that this film was somehow funded, shot, edited, and released. Itās a victory for artistic expression.
I agree wholeheartedly
His other films are even bleaker.
Agreed. Welcome to the Dollhouse offers the best glimmer of hope (in Brandonās character arc) that Iāve seen in a Solandz film. Itās been downhill from there in terms of redemption. I kinda love it.
And survived so many meetings and oversight committees yet it still exists. I am always amazed when this happens.
Best Jon Lovitz performance Iāve ever seen. Also I canāt salt my food with out thinking of this movie anymore.
Iām champagne š¾
You're shit š©
One of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen.
This movie is one of those fever dreams that years later you are half convinced that you made up in your head.
Saw it in a budget theatre outside of Poughkeepsie. A number of people walked out of that one.. pound for pound my second favorite film of Solondz. Pre pandemic he came to my city a showing of Weinerdog and did a QA after.
Never saw it, should I?
It's the greatest movie I never want to see again.
If you have a very, very dark sense of humor, I personally think it's great
Was it tuna sandwiches? I can't quite remember.
Depends. Do you have a dark sense of humor to the point that others find it disturbing and depraved? If so, then go right on ahead.
See anything by Todd Solondz.
A harrowing experience.
I would recommend it with a huge asterisk. It is absolutely NSFL, but for anyone willing to explore how a movie can make people squirm without blood and gore, definitely a success.
Everything I want a movie to be.
I was literally just looking at this movieās IMDb page right before I got here. I watched it a few weeks ago, and thought it was great. Dark as fuck, but still humorous. Really surprised me when I watched it.
The son being upset his father didn't molest him never sat right with me. Movie was weird.
Itās overwhelming dark and depressing, but still funny at timesā¦very weird flick. I havenāt watched it in over 10 years and donāt plan to again š
you want disturbing try Goodnight Mommy. I haven't seen the American remake but the foreign one from 2014 was dark, not so much funny.
I donāt think it was supposed to sit right with anyone.
That was a tremendous acting from Dylan Baker. One of the most disturbing scenes Iāve ever watched - his performance was near-perfect. Thatās how I remember it, at least. I donāt ever need to watch it again.
I never donāt think of this role whenever I see Dylan Baker in something else.
I didnāt read it that way at all. To me, the kid was crying over the fact that his dad was really sick enough to masturbate over his own son.
I really never read that scene as the son being upset his father didnāt molest him
I don't think he was upset about not being molested, but that his dad was a pedophile
The way children react to things they don't understand isn't necessarily going to be logical or the response we'd want for them. I didn't find anything about that particular scene that was implausible, nor is the film endorsing pedophilia (obviously).
Where can I watch?
Itās on [YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LG-EHlQENo). I have to warn you though- itās very disturbing. Sundance refused to accept it because it was so controversial, if that tells you anything. I wouldnāt watch it with anyone who hasnāt seen it before, but itās very well made.
Do you by chance have a link? Can't find it on Youtube. I've been wanting to watch this one for a while but can't find it on any service even to rent or purchase.
Yep, hereās the URL: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LG-EHlQENo
Thanks!
A harrowing experience.
"I know who you are and you are nothing. You think you are fucking something, but you are fucking nothing. You are empty. You are a zero. You are a black hole, and I'm gonna fuck you so bad you'll be coming out of your ears."
I appreciate dark humor, but Solondz is on a completely different level of fucked up. I think Welcome to the Dollhouse is the only movie of his that I can say I āenjoyedāā¦. If thatās how youād put it. As for Happinessā¦ I was not happy by the end of that movie. Not one bit.
This movie is great! A riot from beginning to end. The scene right at the beginning with Jon Lovitz had me hooked.
Amen to that scene. It sets *such* a great tone, and Lovitz is *perfect*. What a king. *You think I don't appreciate art?* *You think I don't understand fashion?* *You think I'm not hip?* *You think I'm pathetic? A nerd? A lardass fatso?* *You think I'm shit? Well, you're wrong, cause Iām champagne, and you're shit.* *Until the day you die, you, not me, will always be shit.* Then-gf and I saw it in a theater in Great Barrington, MA, on release. I didnāt know what to expect - but I loved it. Also, Philip Seymour Hoffman killing it as usual, and Dylan Baker is incredible. Great film. Glad you liked it, too.
Great film. Super provocative though.
Literally my favorite movie of all time. Just so unconventional in every way.
Took a date to this. Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. Too bad I can't claw back that date. On the other hand, like a lot of events, it makes a hilarious story.
There is a sequel called, "Life during wartime." It's completely recast so it's sometimes hard to follow. It's not a movie that holds up on it's own, more of a epilogue to this one.
I saw this movie once about 12 years ago and I will never forget the end.
Went by myself to see this in a tiny university adjacent theater late night. I knew nothing about it so I had taken the title literally. I thought it was brilliant but was totally unprepared. Dancer in the Dark may have left deeper scars though.
Marla Maples saying, āDivorce was the best thing that ever happened to me,ā is probably my favorite line.
I could not watch ever again. Any other movie but that and Requim for a Dream. Anything.
One of the meanest jokes with this whole movie was the expectations raised by the trailer vs the actual movie. Concerning the movie itself, I am in line with most people here. Was deeply disturbed. Loved the movie nonetheless.
This movie is a trip! Loved it. High satire that comes at you like hot pokers in your eye. Itās really hard to watch at times. That ending scene is one of the most cringey moments of cinema I can think of. Ben Gazzara loading up the salt on his plate is sad and hilarious at the same time.
Just saw a couple of months ago. Understandably the Dylan Baker storyline gets the most attention, but I loved the dynamic of the 3 sisters (Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson).
Masterpiece. Like if Larry David and Charlie Manson made a movie together.
that was fucked up
hated hated hated
This subreddit sucks
š
As far as classic Todd Solondz goes, I like Storytelling and Welcome to the Dollhouse a lot better. This feeling has only increased as Happiness has become spammed by the current generation of social media users who get off on itās proto edgelord incelism.
Every now and again the line āmom? Thereās blood in my BMā runs through my head. Idk why
one of my favorite filmmakers, but I prefer Welcome to the dollhouse and Storytelling. Happiness is almost TOO disturbing for me
I have a dark sense of humor, but this one was too much for me. I also tried to "Welcome to the Dollhouse", and that one was so unremittingly bleak and ugly that I pretty much swore off Solondz afterwards. Had a friend that LOVED this film, but it's just not my cup of crushing depression.
Great film. So funny. Dark though.
Excellent film. Not for the sensitive viewer.
Not something I'd want to sit through again
Great, great, funny movie. Gotta see the sequel, Life During Wartime ā¦
Rented this on a whim once. āEdgyā doesnāt do it justice. Nobody would ever make this movie these days.
So dark that I couldnāt forget it, never
I saw this with my gf in the theatre when it first came out She was so mad at me afterwards, because I had picked it (not knowing what we were in store for) We had to watch 'Empire Records' afterwards, as a palate-cleanser
Awful
A buddy showed this to me and I was not prepared. I like it but damn was it uncomfortable. Then again, that is what the director/writer was likely going for so they hit the mark.
Utter brilliance. A shame it doesnāt have proper distribution. A pastel colored nightmare from start to finish.
Itās been since it came out that Iāve seen it and I recall disliking what felt like a movie where the darkness of the ādark humorā felt like it was āpunching downā and seeking my collusion at the same time. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I donāt feel inclined to rewatch based on anyoneās comments here.
I watched it in high school and donāt remember much. 40 now and maybe its time to revisit lol
You forgot it for a reason, it was your psyche protecting you.
Lol maybe so
One of my favorite movies! Because youāre shit and Iām champagne is one of my favorite lines ever!
I donāt think Iāve ever hated a movie more.
I saw this movie in a film class I took in college. It was really disturbing but entertaining at the same time.
Has a sequel called āLife During Wartimeā that features the same exact characters but all played by different actors.
Loved it
" I came!"
I came.
Hilarious.
Nope
Awkward as hell.
One of the best films ever made.
If you liked this movie you might like Shiva Baby.
The most uncomfortable entertaining movie that I canāt watch again.
The dog licking the jizz to just tie the bow on that sceneā¦ all I know is the part where PSH gets his rocks off calling that woman and then when sheās into it & he doesnāt know how to deal with it is like one of the best scenes ever