Happy, Happy (2011)
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85% of critics liked it
(46 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(708 ratings)
Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys and isn't interested in having sex with her anymore because she "isn't particularly attractive." Whatever. That's life.… More Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys and isn't interested in having sex with her anymore because she "isn't particularly attractive." Whatever. That's life. But when "the perfect couple" moves in next door, Kaja struggles to keep her emotions in check. Not only do these successful, beautiful, exciting people sing in a choir, they have also adopted a child - from Ethiopia! These new neighbors open a whole new world to Kaja, with consequences for everyone involved. And when Christmas comes around, it becomes evident that nothing will ever be like before - even if Kaja tries her very best. -- (C) Magnolia
- Directed By
- Anne Sewitsky
- Written By
- Ragnhild Tronvoll
- Genres
- Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 16, 2011 Limited
- On DVD
- Jan 24, 2012
- Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Tom Huddleston, Time Out
A thoughtful, nicely played melodrama, bordering on patronising in its depiction of rural folk, but staying on the right side of the line - thanks to sympathetic performances.
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Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
The curdled Norwegian comedy-drama "Happy, Happy," which dissects a pair of poisoned marriages, is sometimes heavy-handed (like its title) but has much to recommend it.
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Sewitsky aims for quirky humanism along the lines of Finland's Aki Kaurismaki; she's helped along considerably by Kittelsen's sunny performance, though the film crosses over into Scandinavian kitsch with a series of country-swing interludes.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It is short and intense enough that it always seems on track, even if the train goes nowhere.
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Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Happy, Happy" has the makings of a Norwegian "Ice Storm," but it goes out with a whimper.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Agnes Kittelsen
as Kaia
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Joachim Rafaelson
as Eirik
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Maibritt Saerens
as Elisabeth
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Henrik Rafaelsen
as Sigve
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Oskar Hernęs Brandsų
as Theodor
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Ram Shihab Ebedy
as Noa
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Heine Totland
as Choral Director
- Joachim Rafaelsen
