Happily (2021) User Reviews

Started strong, and then went nowhere

[debtman · 5/10 · 13 June 2021]

Overall I thought this was a good cast and started with an interesting story. The plot, however, is very strange. It starts out as a fairly interesting story about a couple who is oddly happy and passionate after 14 years of marriage, and a mystical / supernatural figure who wants to make them "normal". At this point you get sucked in a bit and start to wonder who this man is, what went wrong with these two people and what the premise is of these people having a design flaw.

Well, throw all that out because it doesn't matter. In the end all we get is a group of couples who are all just bad / flawed people having a tell all. Who was the mystical man trying to fix the original couple? It doesn't matter. Why did he want to fix the couple? It doesn't matter. What was in the syringes? It doesn't matter. What was wrong with the couple? Maybe nothing, who knows, it doesn't matter.

In essence, this is a fairly standard couples go on a retreat where all their dark secrets come to light kind of film. Except it's all set in motion by a strange man and a supernatural twist that is soon forgotten and irrelevant.

Interesting concept with really unrealistic side characters

[joostkale · 5/10 · 20 March 2021]

This is one of those movies where the ending can make or break it, but it ended up doing neither. The entire movie keeps you interested with the mystery that is going on, but it just ends up giving you a totally different conclusion. While I did enjoy the reality of the ending, it still left me with a lot of questions. I think the concept of the story is really intriguing. The movie gives of this really weird feeling that won't go away until the final shot. It's just not right. Everything feels just a bit of. When we first get introduced to the main couple, we feel the love, but also the weirdness of their relationship. Well, they were probably the most normal by the end of the movie. Everyone in the movie has their own problems and backstories, but they don't really explain the way they react to certain events. There are some very frustrating character decisions in the movie that are just left unanswered by the end. I still think it's a solid watch, but there is just to much unrealistic decisions to feel satisfied by the end.

Anticlimactic

[Jim_Screechy · 4/10 · 21 March 2021]

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.

I didn't get it.

[godfreaf · 2/10 · 20 March 2021]

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.

A decent time if you like dark / surreal comedy

[black_dodo_b · 7/10 · 19 March 2021]

The whole movie is based on an intruiging premise, enriched with some decent laughs (if you can find humor in cynicism) and an good ensemble of actors. What keeps the movie from getting boring is the not-quite-right setting/world that serves as a thematic thread.

There are for sure some questionable directional choices and the script could have used a bit more polish, but the movie keeps you intruiged and it doesn't overstay its welcome. So I was entertained throughout the whole thing.

I mean yeah, I get the point but I really didn't need to.

[LordCommandar · 4/10 · 20 March 2021]

We all have our skeletons some are in the closet and some we carry around with us and in today's times and so is life. My only real take away from the story is that we all know that there is no such thing as a perfect couple. What I didn't get was the guy in the black suit. The film never reveals that....senseless. I mean yeah, I get it the point but I really didn't need to.

Could have been better

[kirbyhoule · 7/10 · 5 November 2021]

The cast was good but it took far too long for the movie to start to get interesting. The best part of the movie was right at the end when the so called friends spilled their guts and things got real. Point of the story, keep away from negative and narcissistic people, and protect your relationships from destructive influences.

It was ok

[gab-67599 · 5/10 · 19 March 2021]

This movie had a one good thing going for it and that was the soundtrack. I was buying into the whole sci-fi vibe of this movie but in the end it turned directions and I literally got lost. Good acting, although majority of the time they were glued to each other so not really any skill there. I also was able to finish the movie, so there is another good thing I guess... I would NOT ever watch this again, nor would I recommend anyone I know to see it.

a different kind of vaccine

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 19 March 2021]

Greetings again from the darkness. Most frequent movie-goers have complained about the over-supply of sequels, remakes, and superhero movies. The battle cry is typically something like, "We want some creative new movie ideas!" Well, the feature film debut of writer-director BenDavid Grabinski (writer-producer of TV series "Are You Afraid of the Dark?") serves up a unique and creative premise in which Act 1 really gets us excited for new experience.

There's a party at a very nice house. A woman makes inviting eye contact with a man across the room. Their spontaneous sex romp forces Arthur (Al Madrigal, "I'm Dying Up Here") to find an alternative place for relief. Soon the hosts are explaining to Arthur that the bathroom is tied up by Tom (Joel McHale, "Community") and Janet (Kerry Biche, "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels"), a couple who has been married for 14 years, yet they can't keep their hands off each other. Skeptical Arthur states it must be an act, and "they are as miserable as everyone else."

We quickly discover that Tom and Janet are neither acting nor miserable. Dinner with the hosts of that 'bathroom' party, Karen (Natalie Zea, "Justified") and Val (Paul Scheer, "The League"), brings a disinvite to a planned couples weekend getaway, along with the brusque enlightenment to Tom and Janet, "everybody hates you." The next day, a stranger shows up at their front door. Goodman (Stephen Root, OFFICE SPACE, 1999) basically explains the couple is defective and missing the genetic DNA that creates the law of diminishing returns. Fortunately, he has the vaccine that will bring them normalcy. A dramatic turn of events leads to panic and a phone call from Karen re-inviting the couple to the weekend getaway.

That initial set-up is brilliant and played to perfection. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie doesn't live up to that standard. Things begin to falter once the couples begin showing up at the luxurious Airbnb booked by Patricia (Natalie Morales, BATTLE OF THE SEXES, 2017) and her husband, Donald, (Jon Daly, MASTERMINDS, 2016). The other two couples include Carla (Shannon Woodward, ODE TO JOY, 2019) and Maude (Kirby Howell Baptiste, "Barry"), and Gretel (Charlene Yi, THIS IS 40, 2012) and Richard (Breckin Meyer, ROAD TRIP, 2000). Until this point, we kind of liked Tom and Janet, and got a kick out of the annoyance shown by Karen and Val. However, once everyone is under the same roof, we realize just how unlikable these people are and how screwed up each relationship actually is. The smart dark comedy of Act 1 devolves into a party that we wish we weren't at, with a twist that makes little sense.

It's fun to see the familiar faces, and McHale and Biche are fun, but the hope we felt for that creative beginning never pays off. There is a "Twilight Zone" vibe to the premise and the Stranger, but even that is a letdown. The message the movie leaves us with is that people aren't all good. It's a message we live every day, not one for a comedy. In theaters, on digital, and On Demand March 19, 2021

How to ruin a plot

[ASBKnight · 1/10 · 20 March 2021]

The first 10 minutes, meh, then the twist really got interesting until it was ruined.

What happened after the first night in the house... damn. What a garbage. :)

It's rare to see such a good opening ruined so badly. There should be awards for this.

Silly good fun doesn't matter if it doesn't fully make sense.

[NickAMG · 8/10 · 28 March 2021]

I really enjoyed it, well directed just a good laugh. Don't think about it too hard. The acting was good, quirky wee film!

Promise - Reality

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 22 September 2021]

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.

Awful. Do not waste your time.

[kimmiduong · 1/10 · 21 March 2021]

What could have been an interesting premise was quickly squandered, just to drag you along on a terrible journey with no explanation. Yes yes it's an artsy dark comedy. But no real interesting statement on life or marriage. Just total garbage.

If there weren't marital problems before this movie, there will be after, if you're the chump who suggested it.

Not that great.

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 26 March 2021]

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.

Different

[keyope · 7/10 · 10 May 2021]

I caught this film on Sky Movies. Normally if it's a film I haven't heard of I end up turning it off after 15 minutes. This one had just enough to keep me going at the start and then it became quite an interesting mystery. After half an hour I checked the score on imdb and saw it had a 5.3 rating. That was an indication that the answers to the mystery weren't going to be great. I carried on, preparing to be underwhelmed by the ending. With my expectations lowered I ended up not hating it. I understood the point of it, it's just that I hoped for a bit more.

The acting is good, the soundtrack is great too and for the first hour the film creates a good sense of mystery. It veers between horror, mystery, black comedy, relationship drama and sci fi at times, but ends the ending didn't have the big wow twist I was hoping for, but that's why it had a rating of 5.3. Even so, I'm glad I watched this film. It's better than most of the smaller films that show up on Sky Movies. It's a good example of a film with a small budget and fairly big aspirations. It had a little bit of originality in it, and for that it's worth a look.

A showcase of McHale muscles

[abisio · 3/10 · 23 March 2021]

If you like McHale showing his very sculpted body (from the waist up) this is your movie. If your looking for a comedy is not; not really a drama either. As a satire is too simple and it does not make any sense. The surreal part lacks imagination and the last act and ending are quite simplistic and do not make any real sense In brief; do not let the trailer fool you. The movie wants to be something ambitious but falls very short

Worth a watch

[palmercr · 7/10 · 21 March 2021]

I was not expecting much based on the reviews but warmed into the film. If you like off mainstream films give it a go

Waste of time

[rohit_vit2020 · 1/10 · 11 June 2021]

Precious waste of time.

The disappearances and sudden appearances are not explained. Just a random movie, random thought. But with an obvious rejection to appreciate.

Weird Fun OddBall

[Ckn48 · 6/10 · 6 October 2021]

Good Acting Fun Script Interesting premise Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised.

A movie that doesn't quite know what it wants to be

[puzgolac · 4/10 · 10 July 2021]

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.

What fun,,,,

[dalelatchford · 8/10 · 30 March 2021]

Clever, funny, visionally pleasing and highly enjoyable - although a little slow start. Stick with it if you don't mind a little sci-fi (ish) twisting and turning.

Probably for those appreciate a little creativity in their viewing. And for those of a certain age demographic who can/or are in long relationships - thereby understand the archetypal representations.

Worth a watch - enjoy!

Strange kickoff but the shoots like a rocket to the moon

[clementgermain-67862 · 7/10 · 21 March 2021]

The beginning seems a bit dull like the 1.000.000th simple comedy movie ... But then the story gets in a higher fantasy dimension and it kept me entertained to the very last second ! I highly recommend this movie for everyone who like movies with an unexplicable plot changing ...

They have obviously ran out of ideas

[nxcvt-04675 · 1/10 · 24 July 2021]

This film has no point whatsoever, there was no reason for making it at all. The writer should of asked a few people first before making it, they would of said it's a bad idea, and saved people from wasting a lot of time.

This movie was POINTLESS waste of time. SERIOUSLY DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

[CaptainUSA2000 · 1/10 · 22 March 2021]

There IS NO ENDING.

The writer conveniently has the main protagonist stop the antagonist from explaining the ending. How convenient and gnikcuf lazy.

SERIOUSLY DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.

How the hell do tihs movies like this get greenlighted?

Very watchable - Better than its IMDB score

[sncolbert · 7/10 · 27 March 2021]

I have seen way worse movies with way higher IMDB ratings. This flick is at least a 6.5 - which for me usually means a pretty decent movie. Far too many 1 and 2 scores are driving this movies early ratings far too low (currently only 800 ratings and sitting at a 5.2). Happily is way closer to a 10 than it is a 1.