As I watched this movie, it seemed to me like it was almost an alternate version of a mythological or biblical tale, although a specific tale does not come to mind. Set in empty junkyards of Winnipeg, Sabu works in a pornography store and we view him as he approaches the end of his quest to sleep with 2000 men (which is eased by the fact that he works at a porno store). For his final conquest, he desires someone special and has chosen the eccentric character Happy to be his 2000th lover. Throughout out all of this, the town in impending doom as a flood of biblical proportions approaches.
Noam Gonick seems to be quite influenced by the works of John Waters for this film as we are introduced to many Waters-like characters, such as the villain Spanky (Godson delivers a great performance), a mentally unstable man who only wants affection. Moreover, the atmosphere that Gonick creates is mystical and natural. The scenes are all set outdoors including the porno shop, the hair saloon, and the ravers club.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the film is the cinematography. The shots are all well established and done in a tasteful manner. As the flood gets closer and closer, the mood of the film is changed through different camera shots and lighting. On another note, the soundtrack of the movie is worth mentioning as it helps set the tone and mood of the movie, yet is enjoyable to listen to as well.
Story is about the least important thing going on in the movie. Gonick does take this movie as more of a chance to show his crazy friends, drug addicts, transsexuals, and homosexuals, as it is to tell a story. While Gonick does this tastefully, he occasionally tests the patience of his viewer by making several scenes longer than they should be. Moreover, while the movie is eccentric, certain scenes go too far and leave the viewer wondering what is actually happening.
All and all, `Hey! Happy' is an enjoyable film to watch, and will leave the viewer feeling good at the end.
