Happiness (1998)

Don’t be fooled by the name. Though Happiness (1998) is a comedy of the blackest sort, its subject matter is slightly more dour than the title suggests. An ensemble of New Jersey depressives acts out their dystopic rituals of desire and loathing, peopled by a fine and courageous crew of unflinching thespians that includes Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Lara Flynn Boyle, Camryn Manheim and Ben Gazarra. If everyone just wants to have a little fun and be a little glad, why do these pursuits result in stalking, obscene phone calls, impotence, taboos, sleeping with thieves, suicide and even murder? Happiness unleashes a snake’s nest of serpentine questions. Be prepared to supply your own answers.