A highly problematic, although very well-made film. Perhaps the filmmakers "bit off a bit more than they could chew," as they attempt, in my opinion, to tackle too many difficult issues. Just the relationship between the two boys might have been more than enough for one film, yet it is almost brushed under the rug and overshadowed by the issues, conflicts and 'shenanigans' of their parents. The very fact that this is being marketed as a comedy, as pointed out by GuyN, is bizarre--if not unintentionally ironic. "Happy Happy" is a very misleading translation of the original, as if the film's US distributors have mistaken dysfunction for "fun." Yet the film IS interesting, if not compelling, for the very dysfunction that it depicts--as well as some moments of wild joyfulness.

I expected more from this Norwegian "comedy", having found Elling a delightful, quirky, gentle humor experience. The quirkiness is there but how a reviewer could find this movie "Hilarious!" escapes me. This is more in the line of The Kitchen, interesting, but barely funny. Maybe I'm not Norwegian enough. This movie has a fair amount of sadness and a disturbing sub plot between the white and the black kid. I suspect that Happy Happy is a very poor translation of Sykt Lykkelig. Great location shooting in the snow covered North and enough character examination to be watchable. I consulted a Norwegian-English dictionary and it appear that the title might translate "Sick Happy" or "Fortunately Ill". An idiom perhaps?

A Norwegian movie that deserves to be watched for its unpredictability.