Celluloitering

A Film Review Blog

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Location: Dallas, TX
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Friday, April 24, 2009

Happiness

No, I'm not referring to Todd Solondz's ironically titled 1998 film Happiness, although it's awesome. No, I'm talking about the concept of happiness, as viewed from both sociological and psychological perspectives, in the context of modern film.

This week, I was a guest on Under Surveillance, the awesome radio show on WLUW here in Chicago produced by my friend and fellow cinephile Kevin Fullam. This week's show explores how the pursuit of happiness is depicted in various films and television shows. Check it out here: Under Surveillance

We explored a number of films and shows, including About Schmidt, American Beauty, Mad Men and The Sopranos. Many of these examples don't explore happiness so much as the absence of happiness. Characters such as Lester from American Beauty, who is incredibly unhappy despite achieving the American Dream. Check out the radio show (also a podcast for all you high tech kids) and enjoy these clips from the films and shows we discuss: