Happiness
Performance & Direction: Happiness Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Happiness (1998) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Happiness features a noteworthy lineup led by Jane Adams . Supported by the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Dylan Baker , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Happiness
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1998, Happiness is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Todd Solondz. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jane Adams.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. The lives of several individuals intertwine as they go about their lives in their own unique ways, engaging in acts which society as a whole might find disturbing in a desperate search for human connection. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jane Adams's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Happiness
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Todd Solondz, Happiness resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Jane Adams, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Happiness reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Happiness?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jane Adams or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Happiness
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Happiness Budget
The estimated production budget for Happiness is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Happiness
All Cast & Crew →
Happiness Parents Guide & Age Rating
1998 AdvisoryWondering about Happiness age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Happiness is 140 minutes (2h 20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Happiness is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1998 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Happiness worth watching?
Happiness is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Happiness parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Happiness identifies it as NC-17. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Happiness?
The total duration of Happiness is 140 minutes, which is approximately 2h 20m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Happiness
How Happiness Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Happiness
Simply too hard to watch due to the subject matter. But... it is clearly an excellent film, I just can't recommend anyone watch it. Enter at your own risk.
weird is not necessarily creative
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Jane Adams
View full filmography
Part of the Happiness Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise