Happy End (2017)

Director: Michael Haneke
Stars: Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mathieu Kassovitz
Runtime: 107 minutes

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 6/10
Special Effects: N.A.
Costumes/Makeup: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: N.A.

Verdict: I don’t really know how to describe Michael Haneke’s latest film since it’s more of a character (or family?) study than a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.

Having said that, out of the three movies directed by the German director that I have seen (the other two being “Amour” and the “Funny Games” remake), this one’s probably my least favorite. I’m not saying I didn’t like it. Far from it. The performances were all amazing, with a special mention to Fantine Harduin, who played the young Eve and who I hope I’ll see more of in the future. Isabelle Huppert and Jean-Louis Trintignant are as usual incredible, and truly proved why Haneke constantly casts them in his projects. Some of the relationships between the characters are really interesting, and the Oscar-nominated director captures a sense of realism you just can’t find anywhere else. This, however, leads me to my biggest issue with the picture: It’s so realistic that most of it is, well... pretty boring. Not much happens during the movie, especially during the first two-thirds of it, and I eventually grew tired of just watching characters interacting with each other, even if it was flawlessly made.

“Happy End” is definitely not a movie made for everybody, and I can totally see people hating it. It requires a lot of patience and attention, and should not be viewed if you’re not into that type of films. 

Final Grade: 7/10