Rent Happy End (2017)
3.0 of 5 from 344 ratings
1h 42min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- When her mother falls ill under mysterious circumstances, young Eve (Fantine Harduin) is sent to live with her estranged father's wealthy relatives in Calais. But trouble is brewing, as a series of intergenerational back-stabbings threaten to tear the family apart. Meanwhile, distracted by infidelities and betrayals, they fail to notice that their new arrival has a sinister secret of her own.
- Actors:
- Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mathieu Kassovitz, Fantine Harduin, Franz Rogowski, Laura Verlinden, Aurélia Petit, Toby Jones, Hille Perl, Hassam Ghancy, Nabiha Akkari, Joud Geistlich, Philippe Du Janerand, Dominique Besnehard, Bruno Tuchszer, Alexandre Carrière, Nathalie Richard, David Yelland, Waël Sersoub, Marie-Pierre Feringue
- Directors:
- Michael Haneke
- Producers:
- Margaret Ménégoz
- Writers:
- Michael Haneke
- Studio:
- Curzon / Artificial Eye
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- Cinema Paradiso's Euro 24 Film Festival
- Countries:
- France
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 26/03/2018
- Run Time:
- 107 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM Stereo, French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- The Making of 'Happy End'
- Theatrical Trailer
- Masterclass with Michael Haneke
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Reviews (14) of Happy End
A little empty - Happy End review by RD
The great charm of French films is they often start slowly, building up an intimate and innocent picture of the characters and their daily lives and then the plot emerges organically out of this and everything becomes apparent.
This film nearly does it, but not quite, and dwells on some long tedious scenes that don't seem to have anything to do with the film. There were too many "what's that all about?" comments from us throughout the film.
For instance there's a scene of the Grandfather travelling along a pavement, alone in his powered wheelchair, and filmed from across a busy road with only the sound of the traffic going by. It goes on, and on, and on, before he eventually stops and has a lengthy conversation (which is unheard) with some immigrants. Just one those scenes which appear baffling and unconnected. There's lots like this, and Toby Jones acts his character well, but he hasn't got much to go on as we never really find out who his character is and what his role is.
The only worthwhile scene in the film is the touching conversation between 13 year old Eve and her grandfather in his study, lots emerge here and there is a superb understanding develops between the two.
By the end of the film, a slight understanding of the characters of this dysfunctional family is emerging, but only in small hints, and not enough to fill out a storyline. Then it ends.
If the film could be shortened (there's enough slow stuff that can be jettisoned) then this would make and excellent episode one of a series that could then go on to develop the roles of the characters such as the son with a chip on his shoulder, and then more on young Eve. There is an affair going on between Eve's father and Claire that really didn't get much coverage and could be enlarged upon.
Some advice: Fast Forward through the opening credits as they are interrupted with five long, and I mean long, scenes shot from a mobile phone. A girl in the bathroom brushing her teeth and then brushing her hair, and then gargling. Then a hamster in a cage for a long time (well it felt long), then someone sitting by a computer desk. They are incredibly annoying and don't do anything for the film.
9 out of 14 members found this review helpful.
Weird! - Happy End review by ST
We did watch this until the end but kind of wished we hadn't. It never really went anywhere. Beautiful and boring in equal measure!
4 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
Slower than Wood - Happy End review by IG
Slower than wood and nowhere near as useful. We gave up on this tedious drivel way before the end, or even the middle, maybe it has a super finale we will never know or care, a complete waste of acting talent.
4 out of 7 members found this review helpful.