Something Like Happiness

Winner of Best Film at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, as well as eight Czech Lion awards in its native country, writer-director Bohdan Sláma's Something Like Happiness is billed as a “drama-comedy,” but few will find much to chortle about in this bleak yet oddly buoyant tale of three friends and the roughshod family they create amongst themselves. Pals since childhood, Tonik (Pavel Liska) harbors newfound hope for wooing Monika (Tatiana Vilhelmova), now that the latter's boyfriend has gone off to America. But Tonik's heart probably stands about as much of a chance at happiness as that of his and Monika's mutual friend Dasha (Anna Geislerova), a single mom with two kids and a feckless married lover. Like the ramshackle farmhouse in which Tonik lives with his oddball aunt, everything seems to be falling apart, metaphorically and literally, in this story of sweet interpersonal relationship chaos that will stick with you long after the end credits have rolled. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the multiple award-winning short film “Backseat Bingo” and cast bios. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for a fine film.] (M. Johanson)