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Something Like Happiness

Play trailer Poster for Something Like Happiness 2005 1h 46m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In northern Bohemia, Monika (Tatiana Vilhelmová) awaits an invitation to join her boyfriend in the U.S., while free-spirited suitor Tonik (Pavel Liska) tries to gain her affection. Their unstable friend, Dasha (Anna Geislerová), is having a tumultuous affair with a married man that eventually leads to her having a nervous breakdown. When she is sent to a mental institution, Tonik and Monika agree to care for Dasha's two kids, and Tonik hopes to win Monika's heart in the process.

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Ty Burr Boston Globe It's the comic, touching glimpses into a society run aground that make Something Like Happiness special and link it with the gentle fables of the Czech New Wave films of the 1960s. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 1, 2006 Full Review Eddie Cockrell Variety Third time's the charm for Czech helmer Bohdan Slama, whose talent for locating the dignity in the downtrodden of his native Czech Republic is on moving display. Feb 3, 2006 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter A thoughtfully performed, gently quirky human drama about choices made and their often surprising consequences. Feb 3, 2006 Full Review Marta Barber Miami Herald Honest and incisive, a film without a message, just telling it like it is. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 27, 2006 Full Review Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews ...the dedication of the writer/director and his cast make it a worthwhile film for the movie buff. Rated: B Sep 3, 2006 Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews Sláma has captured those type of childhood friendships grown into maturity which are encircled by loosely connected parents all long time acquaintances because of their kids. Rated: B Aug 14, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (47) audience reviews
Audience Member The theme of this movie centers around what passes for happiness. We've been here before with similarly titled films, but the relationships seem more real, more grounded in truth. For sure, the characters aren't normal - what would a movie be with normal people in it, right? But their struggles, emotions, and consequences are places we've been ourselves. The introductory scenes are sparse and lack engagement, but somewhere in the 20-25 minute range, everything clicks and there's no turning back. You'll love, despise, ache and cringe throughout this movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Lovely ... nostaligic and true... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Czym jest szczęście dla każdego z nas? - zawsze czymś innym. Historia dobrze zbudowana, prawdziwa. Samo życie, bez banału, bez pompy emocjonalnej - rzeczywistość. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member (*** 1/2): Thumbs Up Well-acted and directed. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A great film, and a good example of the Czech mindset in dramatic films. No happy ending, in fact no ending at all, which allows the audience to imagine whatever they want to. Fans of this film should also watch The Wild Bees, an earlier effort by the same director. Many of the same actors were used in both films as well. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member few moments of hope in this movie that reminds you how your plans can be dashed at any moment. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Something Like Happiness

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Something Like Happiness

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Movie Info

Synopsis In northern Bohemia, Monika (Tatiana Vilhelmová) awaits an invitation to join her boyfriend in the U.S., while free-spirited suitor Tonik (Pavel Liska) tries to gain her affection. Their unstable friend, Dasha (Anna Geislerová), is having a tumultuous affair with a married man that eventually leads to her having a nervous breakdown. When she is sent to a mental institution, Tonik and Monika agree to care for Dasha's two kids, and Tonik hopes to win Monika's heart in the process.
Director
Bohdan Sláma
Screenwriter
Bohdan Sláma
Production Co
Ceská Televize, Arte
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Czech
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 15, 2016
Runtime
1h 46m