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B-Happy

Play trailer Poster for B-Happy 2003 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In a small coastal town in Chile, Kathy (Manuela Martelli) lives with her mother, Mercedes (Lorene Prieto) and brother, Danilo (Felipe Ríos), in a lower-class neighborhood. With her ex-con father, Radomir (Eduardo Barril), fresh out of prison and already involved in crime again, Kathy has few allies, even among her family members. When Chemo (Ricardo Fernández) arrives in town, Kathy befriends the teenager, while at the same time her family proves they cannot be relied upon.

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Richard James Havis The Hollywood Reporter It's a thoughtful work that opts for careful observation and quiet deliberation over histrionics and drama. Jun 17, 2004 Full Review Elvis Mitchell New York Times This cooled-out melodrama from Chile is often so natural it has the on-the-fly illumination of improvisation. Rated: 3/5 Mar 31, 2004 Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site B-Happy seems more arranged to conform to someone's idea of what a contemporary art film about working class life should look like rather than a genuine attempt to grapple with that life. Feb 15, 2021 Full Review Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews In a sad, sympathetic and haunting performance, Manuela Martelli plays Katty as a 15-year-old enigma. It is an unforgettable piece of acting in an otherwise mediocre movie. Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 12, 2004 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A rigorous Chilean film about all the challenges faced by a poor teenage girl who is forced to take charge of her own life at an early age. Rated: 3/5 Apr 2, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member Es triste. Buena, pero no increible. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Si es chileno es ....mmm Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Directed by Gonzalo Justiniano Sound depressing? Incredibly, director Gonzalo Justiniano blends Kathy’s trials by fire with enough earthy humor and hope to keep “B-Happy” from becoming a downer. A perpetually optimistic teacher – dancing on what appears to be a Prozac-induced cloud of denial – encourages Kathy to “Be Happy” despite the blight of poverty and decay enveloping them. The contrast makes for an effective running joke. "I'm not afraid of anything...dogs, gypsies, night, wind or earthquakes," repeats 14-year-old Manuela Martelli [Best Actress, Havana Festival]—and she needs to believe it. She lives in a ramshackle house outside Valparaíso with mom Lorene Prieto [THE SENTIMENTAL TEASER, 99 fest], who's preyed on by her boss; her dad, back from the pen, knocks over a gas station and steals a car while they're on an outing—then things really get tough. But she always has that mantra in this multi-awarded coming-of-age story. Toronto, Berlin Festivals. "B-Happy” is one of many coming-of-age films appearing at SIFF, this time concerning a 14-year old Chilean girl named Kathy (Manuela Martelli). Living in a ramshackle house falling apart at the seams with a hardworking mother and chemical-gobbling brother, Kathy’s bleak life is full of disappointment and void of opportunity. Her father (Eduardo Barril) is a criminal miscreant and veteran of the local criminal justice system, bouncing in and out of jail. ***This is a very good film from Gonzalo Justiniano. He brings a story that looks real, with real situation, and real characters. Characters that you have to give them a chance to show you that life is life as is. This might just be happening next door to you and you do not know it. Although the cinematography looks and feels like we are in a place where the sun rays hit differently, it hits you with a new fresh look at life. The real life we do not want to face sometimes. This movie has so many characters that each one of them give you a touch of life that makes it rich on the screen. I was able to enjoy this movie very, very, very much. Give this movie a chance. Give yourself a break into a new perspective in life. Real life is out there and Gonzalo Justiniano was able to put it on a film. Lorene Prieto(Kathy's mother) gives a powerful performance and Manuela Martelli (Kathy) is the greatest. Rent this movie. You will not be disappointed. Give real life a chance. Life is simple sometimes. But you have to live it Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member que peli mas buena, recomendada,you need to see Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie has a very good aesthetic. If you can't understand Spanish, watch the subtitle version, not the dubbed version! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
B-Happy

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In a small coastal town in Chile, Kathy (Manuela Martelli) lives with her mother, Mercedes (Lorene Prieto) and brother, Danilo (Felipe Ríos), in a lower-class neighborhood. With her ex-con father, Radomir (Eduardo Barril), fresh out of prison and already involved in crime again, Kathy has few allies, even among her family members. When Chemo (Ricardo Fernández) arrives in town, Kathy befriends the teenager, while at the same time her family proves they cannot be relied upon.
Director
Gonzalo Justiniano
Producer
Carlo Bettin, Gonzalo Justiniano
Screenwriter
Gonzalo Justiniano, Fernando Aragón, Sergio Gómez, Daniela Lillo
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Spanish
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround