HAPPY ENDINGS (2005): Running with scissors
December 6th 2008 11:38
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Yet a plot description can be misleading in the case of this film, as nothing is as it seems. The intricate pattern of secrets, lies, desires and the resulting choices lead the characters in unexpected directions, either to random acts of kindness or cruelty, but ultimately towards self-discovery. Happy Endings does not offer a treatise on queer politics, suburban ennui or abortion, although all those topics are there, tackled right alongside farting, vasectomies, fake moustaches and massage parlours. Hilarity operates next to pathos, as family relationships, love and identity are lost and recovered again.
As if compelled to diffuse the occasionally confronting (and moving) on-screen action, the director adds ironic distance to the proceedings in the form of on-and-off hand held camera style, split screen and witty commentary printed on top of it all (all subtitle-haters out there beware!). Despite these gimmicks, the film (self-branded as ‘a comedy, sort of’) avoids artsy pretentiousness and manages to capture that elusive creature, a ‘sort of’ truth about human existence, offering insight on those moments in life – as referred to in the dialogue – when we finally fall on the scissors we run around with; the moments that are scary and traumatic and can leave scars, yet can also lead to personal fulfillment if we are willing to take the risk of change and believe in the possibility of a happy ending.
Maggie Gyllenhaal as the charmer Jude
The ensemble cast gives poignant performances, with Maggie Gyllenhaal being the stand-out in another post-Secretary and Mona Lisa Smile not-classically-beautiful-yet -irresistibly-interesting-wom an role, and her melancholy singing voice providing what might become a cult film soundtrack. ‘It’s better to know you, than not to know you’ Charley tells Mamie. Happy Endings is a film that takes the time to be thoughtful, so if you’re willing to face an intelligent and emotionally charged film-going experience, head on.
Review by Patricia Bieszk
© Copyright P. Bieszk 2006.
Originally published on Vibewire.
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