Welcome to Happiness

I put off watching this for quite some time because it looked interesting but weird. Now that I've watched it, it's interesting but weird. It's a web of life story that, at its core is similar to Crash, yet nothing like that movie. I loved the artwork. The apartment where the majority of the movie takes place is amazing. I'd love to live there! It makes the movie more visually interesting since, as I've said, most of it takes place in that space. You get the impression that Woody, the protagonist, is tied to the place by his obligations. Anyway, the story is heartwarming. For me, it was a slow start, got good around the middle, and was a bit anticlimactic in the end. But, it holds a good message and that's what makes it touching.

So many of life's lessons can be attributed to children's literature. Authors from Dr. Seuss to Shel Silverstein shaped the way young minds perceived the world and prepared them for what lie ahead. Welcome To Happiness, the debut film from writer/director Oliver Thompson, spins a fanatical tale in a similar vein. Aimed at the grown-ups we've ripened into, this clever comedy draws upon the "whys" we inevitably ask ourselves as we press on through to adulthood.

Dropping the viewer directly into the world he built, Thomson keeps a close rein on the goings on and rules set forth by his script, only answering so much before adding on more mysteries. The opening scene sets the tone of the film, quirky and playful yet not lacking real raw emotion...

I can respect a low budget film, but this doesn't feel like that. It just feels lazy. Can't hear what the actors say during many parts of the movie. Some because the "background music" is just too loud, other times it was just recorded way too low. Bad, just bad. I did like the story line but will NEVER watch this again because of how badly it was created. You WILL have to change the volume many, many, many, many times during this show. In fact, just avoid the movie.

Most of the dialogue seems like whispers and you need the sound turned way up, about the highest setting you have. And then the music comes I and knocks you out of your seat. How did it get released in this condition?

Seems like an art film project with good direction and interesting actors.

Whatever you think this movie's going to be, you're wrong. Instead it's a lot of things, all happening at once. If you go in with that understanding, you'll probably like it.

The performances are great, which is good, because without that, this film would be hard to love. The story winds around a lot before it gets to the point, then winds around some more after it gets to the point. I had no problems with this, because the characters are so well written and played that it was worthwhile just being in their (rather surrealistic) space.

Basically it's an art film, except not annoying. The main characters don't take themselves too seriously, and although the screenplay touches on plenty of "heavy" themes, nobody drones on about them in black-and-white Swedish.

Like all art films it's also packed full of symbols, and it's kind of fun spotting and pondering them. I suspect when I see it again in a few years I'll catch more, and a few plot points that breezed past me the first time.

Basically, it's a friendly practical joke that leaves you thoughtful, and little happy and sad at the same time. As an essay on life, that's pretty dead-on.

Good movie to see with someone you like to talk with.