Debuting last year at “Dances With Films”, one of the most sparkling indie gems to come around in a while finally has a distribution deal and opens in limited release and on VOD this weekend. That gem is WELCOME TO HAPPINESS and that’s exactly how one feels on watching the film – happy.
A dramatic fantasy that is whimsical with childlike wonder while positing thoughtful commentary on cause and effect, the universal design of things, and the idea of “what if?” – What if I could change things? Would I? – first time feature writer/director Oliver Thompson captures the imagination from the start thanks to a novel idea and creative story, buttressing that with magic and mystery, dynamic colorful visuals and a standout cast that carry the load and maintain the cinematic flow through some weak patches within the film’s whole.
Woody Ward is a writer who serves as guardian between two worlds. In his apartment, rented from a landlord named Moses, is a door hidden within a closet serving as a gateway to a place of healing, peace and second chances for those who seek it. Individuals randomly show up at Woody’s door within moments of him receiving a cryptic dot-matrix print-out with questions specific to each individual. Those questions, and the applicant’s answers, are the first tine of the litmus test to determine if they get to go through the door. The second is a magical rock that changes color.
Although seemingly content with this arrangement, when Woody himself hits a snag in his own creative process, jeopardizing his book contract with his somewhat testy agent Priscilla and causing undue stress that impacts a budding romance with his neighbor Trudy, jealousy and a bit of resentment rears its ugly head. Why can’t he take advantage of the second chance afforded others by going through the door?
The world of make-believe takes hold as Woody meets a fantastical cast of characters who seek entry through the door, among them a painter named Nyles and a baseball card collector named Ripley, Proctor and Lillian who are the puppet masters of second chances within the magical world, and Claiborne and Osmond who are in effect the “guardians of happiness” itself.
Kyle Gallner is the very embodiment of the “Derwood-like” nature of Woody”. Likeable, engaging, innocent and having the blind faith needed for happiness, Gallner captives and leads us through the narrative. The grounding and calm of Nick Offerman’s Moses envelops the film with its own security blanket. He is comforting and provides a sage, adult voice. Notable is Paget Brewster as agent Priscilla. Beyond charming are Frances Conroy and Robert Pike Daniel as Claiborne and Osmond. As Lillian and Proctor, Molly Quinn and Keegan Michael-Key are perfection as they embody the very essence of whimsy and happiness.
From Thompson’s use of color, exquisite visual tonal bandwidth with lighting and lensing – particularly cinematographer Justin Talley’s use of bright light as a counter to darker, more homey yet claustrophobic and warm interiors (all of which go through stages of saturation to complement emotional states) – to the whimsy of the music, and the playful undertones of “Happiness”, one is enchanted and charmed. Celebratory is Jessica Bluwal’s costuming and Patrick Thompson’s “through the door” production design. Colorful, jewel-toned and surreal costumes and production design are beautifully interwoven, lending to the emotional ambience and whimsy.
And while there is “whimsy” to the story and its visual design, Thompson doesn’t shy away from those darker thematic elements of life which lead one to wonder about a “second chance” and “what if” options. Opening a Pandora’s Box of New Age wisdom, albeit an unorthodox but effective approach with the genre meld at play, Thompson demonstrates his willingness to take risks as a storyteller and filmmaker. Given that, there are a few pitfalls that feel amiss within the overall tonal bandwidth and visual grammar, but not to such a degree as to detract from the moviegoing experience.
Delightful from beginning to end, no one would presume that WELCOME TO HAPPINESS is Oliver Thompson’s writing and directing debut. Although there are some stumbles on the road to a smooth emotional conclusion, the levels of craftsmanship on both the technical and storytelling fronts are solidly engaging and intertwined. He is a gifted storyteller, melding visuals, story and performance and truly welcomes us with WELCOME TO HAPPINESS.
Written and Directed by Oliver Thompson
Cast: Nick Offerman, Kyle Gallner, Olivia Thirlby, Paget Brewster, Molly Quinn, Keegan Michael-Key, Frances Conroy, Robert Pike Daniel
