The BBFC has classified HAPPINESS as '18' without cuts.
The Board's decision was taken after very careful consideration. It recognized the unusual qualities of this independent American feature film about different generations of a New Jersey family. The film however deals in part with the most sensitive and difficult subject of paedophilia. The Board does not believe that any subject, providing always that it is properly and responsibly handled, should be prohibited from the cinema, or other screens. Indeed, paedophilia has been successfully addressed on a number of occasions on British television, for example in ITV's much praised drama-documentary NO CHILD OF MINE.
The treatment of this element in HAPPINESS concentrates upon the human effects of the illegal behaviour. It destroys the 'happiness' of the central family and leads to the father's arrest and social exile. Importantly, all physical representation of the illegal activity is avoided. The film throughout treats the portrayal of its difficult subject matter with discretion. There is nothing here, for example, that could reasonably be seen to offer comfort to, still less encourage, paedophiliac behaviour.
At the same time, the film makes a serious attempt to provide some insight into the mind of the individual concerned. His decline is reflected in successive conversations with his young son (who is never abused). The frankness of the boy's dialogue may startle some adult viewers, though it may not be unfamiliar to many modern British or American children. The most intense and challenging scene in the film is the final dialogue between the father and son in which the father confesses to his criminal behaviour. The Board did not feel that it was appropriate to cut such a crucial and climactic scene. It noted in particular the discretion with which it had been shot, with the two actors shot separately so that the boy was not present in frame throughout the most difficult passages.
Andreas Whittam Smith - President
Robin Duval - Director