Happy Times (2019) User Reviews

Blood in times

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 22 August 2021]

Have you seen Serial Lover? Also a french movie, also with quite the dark humor included. And I would argue a lot better than the movie we have here. Which does not mean I was not entertained by that (remember it is a movie, I don't condone any of the behaviour shown here, especially the sending of genital pictures ... and the reaction most display to it - this is not funny, period).

Having said all that, just take it with a grain of salt, this is horror mixed with comedy. A lot of violence, but no nudity (in case you were wondering). Though the movie is not worse or better for that in my humble opinion. You may feel different - especially considering the beautiful people who assembled for this. B-movie flair and charme ... might be enough or not, depending on your sense of humor.

No one is destroying evidence

[nogodnomasters · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

An Israeli family living very well off in LA are having a family dinner reunion. The Rabbi is going to show up to see where he will have his Purim meal, a feast to increase love and friendship. This lends to the irony of the black comedy. Cousin Michael (Michael Aloni) the secular actor shows up with his African-American non-Jewish date (Stéfi Celma) with his family not knowing how to act.

There is a verbal disagreement that escalates to something physical. And then it gets weird, in a comedy of accidents and non-accidents.

The production is in Hebrew and English. Mostly Hebrew with subtitles. It is a simple low budget film, shot very well. Not as funny as a Klump family dinner, but then what is?

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity

Pointless and stupid

[dia_stef · 4/10 · 7 November 2020]

Gave it 4 stars just cause it had some funny moments though..

For an hour, not bad. Then it falls apart.

[Nozz · 2/10 · 13 August 2021]

The first hour contains some reasonably telling satire about how thin the veneer of good will can be in society, but the moviemakers are determined to put a lot of ketchup on screen and the excuses for it become increasingly strained. At one point, apparently despairing of natural motivations, the script starts relying on a bottle of drugged water to turn some characters nasty.

Israeli viewers may recognize some well-liked actors-- Mike Burstyn, Guy Adler, Michael Aloni, Shani Atias... They've all worked in better projects than this. And by the way, in Israel the movie is rated for general admission with no age restrictions, but I wouldn't recommend taking a kid to see it. (PS - Okay, after a week the ads started saying "Ages 14 and up.")

Fun horror/comedy only if you're a fan of the setup only

[kannibalcorpsegrinder · 8/10 · 11 February 2021]

Preparing a special family get-together, a Jewish family in Los Angeles try to put their personal grievances aside to have dinner and catch-up but as the night goes on a series of secrets and insults to their personal pride get the better of everyone leading to a bloodier and crazier night than they expected.

This was a rather enjoyable horror/comedy. What really works best with this one is the wholly engaging setup that allows for plenty of goofiness and absurd antics to emerge as time goes on. Getting to know who each of the various participants is and what their personal rivalries are with each other sets up the comedy involved here rather nicely. When the little digs begin and the insults and quips start flying from everyone at the expense of their pride, this one picks up considerably in the second half as the series of chases, confrontations and brawls get quite crazier as the night carries on especially once the bodies start dropping with far more regularity and brutality which gives this some life alongside the comedy. Overall, these manage to give the film a lot to like while this one does have some issues. The main drawback is the general setup where it's hard to care at times about each of the affluent figures at the party which manages to create a potential disconnect with the people. Since it's based entirely on getting to know the family and their guests are before the chaos starts, the fact that they fall into the typical range of cocky, arrogant types that are more interested in their wealth and personal status while trying to screw over anyone that interferes with those aspects of their life can be tricky to sympathize with which is what makes the film work. This ends up making the film rather easy to figure out where if you find the situation funny this will become far more fun for those that can get into the setup present here.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Graphic Violence.

Shabbos dinner disaster!

[sloped · 9/10 · 26 December 2020]

I can't believe no one thought to make this movie before. If you've ever spent a holiday wiht a bunch of drunk, nasty relatives you'll find this so funny. No doubt. Don't watch if you are easily offended because they poke fun at a lot of Jewish traditions and beliefs. Perfect movie for the holidays... I'm sure you've seen this type of movie where family and friends gather around the dinner table and things don't go as planned. Well, in this case things really get out of control and guests start dropping like flies in creative and comical ways. But don't get fooled, it's gets pretty violent and bloody. Highly recommended.

Bloody fun

[blakecolorado · 9/10 · 8 November 2020]

Don't take it too seriously. Got a good mix of comedy and violence with some hilarious moments and good actors. Wait for the rabbi.

Bloody Fun!

[mickdansforth · 8/10 · 7 March 2021]

Purchased and watched on Prime Video. It's not available on Vudu or Fandango..

If I understand correctly, this is an Israeli film about a family of Israeli-Americans living in Los Angeles. The language is mostly Hebrew w/ a smattering of English.

This is a lot like All Of My Friends Are Dead (Netflix) except instead of young 20-somethings, the people at this holiday dinner party are in their 30's and 40's. And this one is far more linear.

Once things go off the rails, everything continues to escalate.

This was a good time.

Family get together goes completely off the rails

[selfdestructo · 8/10 · 15 May 2022]

Great single location black comedy, with the best of intentions...

A well-off Jewish couple invite their family, friends, and significant others to their ritzy home for dinner. Hm, what could possibly go wrong? Many conflicts, business dealings, infidelities, and jealousies are exposed, with bloody, violent, murderous (intentional and unintentional) results.

I've seen other movies with similar premises, but certainly not one in Hebrew. Most of the dialogue is Hebrew with subtitles, with the occasional English spoken (primarily by the "actor" cousin, who is first to show signs of dissent). Once the ball gets rolling, the mayhem is pretty relentless, more than half the cast is killed off, then the police show up (insert dig at LA police), responding to gunshots heard. Oh yeah, the rabbi they were expecting... He is late, and is there at a most inopportune time.

I must say, the lead actress hosting the party (Liraz Chamami) is a real stunner, decked out in the same sexy cocktail dress for the duration of the film. So, there is eye candy to boot.

Hilariously Unexpected

[lexibright-56105 · 10/10 · 26 May 2022]

It was my first time watching a movie in Hebrew and it was hilarious! Not a dull moment 😆

If you enjoy dark comedy and foreign films, I highly recommend this movie. It goes by fast and you won't get bored. It's an easy watch too.

Hysterical

[fapple-88075 · 10/10 · 5 September 2021]

The lead actress Liraz Chamai and Stefi Celma from Call My Agent are brilliant. The first part is a hilarious and awkward comedy of manners and then the second part goes completely off the rails. Very funny stuff.