Malheureux bonheur

This is one of those movies where you can very clearly see that the writer/director wanted it to be so clever, but they didn't have the talent nor the skill to make it so. The movie is okay-ish (though not great) at creating an interesting premise and atmosphere but, like so many movies that do the first part right, it is really terrible at bringing the plot to a successful and meaningful conclusion. What is worse, it comes complete with an excuse for not giving a meaningful explanation that was, I guess, also supposed to be clever, but was just a blatant insult to the viewers. The supernatural angle was completely unnecessary and just felt half-assed. They should have either developed the supernatural part so it is meaningful, or cut it out completely. Also, some of the non-supernatural parts at the very end were completely unbelievable and ridiculous.

Ultimately, this movie is like a burger from a typical fast food joint - it may taste good for a bit, but there is really nothing of substance in it.

The film begins with an interesting concept that totally held me for about the first hour, then it got a little weird and veered violently into a totally different direction which left me more than a little surprised.

Unfortunately the new course was one I neither understood nor did it relate particularly well to what came prior, so it threw me into left field with a unsatisfied and confused aftertaste.

For once, I can say with all sincerity it was a movie i just didn't get. Even though it was well acted directed, and (for the most part) produced, I think the incongruity of the plot will be problematic for most viewers.

It didn't help that in order for the story to assume the new course of direction, several rather ridiculous plot developments had to take place which again, were not in keeping with the stage previously set or the character frameworks as previously defined. Even with the oddities of the plot aside, this was enough to jar me from the experience that until that point, I was quite immersed in.

Anyway, I don't want to rag on this film too much as i don't think it's necessarily a bad movie per se, just that the creative license employed here may have had a few too many sherbets and not been in the right frame of mind for making the best decisions for the movie progression.

I can't recommend this one as it is ultimately disappointing, but for budding film makers it is a good lesson in not what to do with a pretty solid plot, or possibly how to wrest success from a movie, with questionable choices in screenplay.

Happily is a bit confusing. The script needs some help, that's for sure, as in the end there are some questions unanswered, some vital ones in my opinion. Now the story feels unfinished, and leaves the audience wondering what the point was of this movie. It could also have been funnier. I like dark comedies but here it's just not good enough. Al Madrigal for example is much funnier as a stand-up comedian. His show Shrimpin' Ain't Easy is really worth a watch if you want to have some good chuckles. The acting wasn't bad in Happily, but the story is just not helping them. I wouldn't waste my time with this one, there are much better dark comedies than Happily.

I don't understand what redeeming qualities this movie was supposed to have. It wasn't funny, scary, or a great message. I'm just scratching my head wondering what people see in this movie.

The premise was really good ... the end (result) kind of deflates a lot though. Also if you can avoid watching the trailer. While there is some dialog that is really funny and good towards the end, that is not revealed and spoiled there, many of the good things are in the trailer. Which also kind of is misleading in a sense I'd say ... especially considering how the movie turns out.

On the other hand maybe it is our expectations that are to blame. So while I do love that the movie is a bit ... hard to categorize and put in a box (or suit case, no pun intended) ... it also means there is so much you won't be able to understand. What I do like is at least one of the themes in the movie: the shaming category. I really hate that - and it is depicted in a very good manner.

And we also have the "everyone has a secret" thing going on ... well almost everyone. But in a movie that seems and feels otherworldly, maybe we should not expect .. normal at all.