Happy Ending Story:-
Set for release on September 1, 2023, the latest Dutch romantic comedy features Gaite Jansen as Luna, Martijn Lakemeier as Mink, and Joy Delima as Eve in the lead roles. Directed and written by Joosje Duk, the film is produced by Max de Wolf.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 1 September 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Duration | 1h 32min |
| Cast | Gaite Jansen, Claire Bender, Martijn Lakemeier, Sinem Kavus, Joy Delima, Sidar Toksöz |
| Director | Joosje Duk |
| Writer | Joosje Duk |
| Cinematography | Ezra Reverda |
| Music | Alexander Reumers |
| Producer | Max de Wolf, Arnold Heslenfeld, Laurette Schillings, Frans van Gestel |
| Production | Topkapi Films |
| Certificate | 18+ |
Clocking in at a runtime of 93 minutes, the movie carries an ‘A’ rating due to its inclusion of sex scenes and nudity. For international audiences, English subtitles and dubbed audio options are available on the streaming platform.
The narrative revolves around Luna and Mink, a couple celebrating their one-year anniversary. As the story progresses, it sheds light on the imperfect dynamic between this seemingly flawless pair. Luna harbors a secret from Mink to avoid hurting him or disrupting their intimate moments. Despite maintaining the appearance of a satisfying sex life, Luna has been feigning orgasms since the inception of their relationship. In an attempt to infuse excitement into their routine, Luna proposes exploring new experiences, particularly the idea of a threesome.
Upon broaching the subject with Mink, Luna suggests embarking on a threesome adventure, leading them to seek out the perfect third partner in The Hague. While initially exhilarating, the introduction of a third party strains Luna and Mink’s relationship, exposing underlying tensions and unspoken truths.
Happy Ending Review: Discussion
Simply glancing at the summary of the movie above provides a good indication of what to expect from this latest provocative Netflix offering. Unfortunately, you’ve likely come close to unraveling the entire plot without even watching it, as once again, the film fails to offer anything fresh. Despite masquerading as a film that delves into meaningful discussions about intimacy, it ultimately gets bogged down in visually depicting sexual acts rather than exploring substantive themes.
It’s exhausting to witness contemporary movies persistently oscillate between extremes. International content often aims to drive home a singular viewpoint, and Netflix’s recent releases are no exception. Relationships are portrayed as shallow extensions of characters’ lustful desires, lacking any deeper emotional bond that one might expect from a couple who has been together for a year.
While the film attempts to initiate a dialogue about the exploration of intimacy, it falls short in making viewers care about its characters. The protagonists lack depth beyond their fixation on sex, making them redundant and difficult to empathize with. Their failure to engage in meaningful communication reflects the movie’s overall lack of substance and realism.
Although the film organically incorporates the concept of same-sex love, it ultimately feels like a superficial addition to the plot. Luna’s involvement with Eve fails to develop into anything meaningful, leaving viewers frustrated by the lack of meaningful connections.
The only redeeming aspect of the movie is the final conversation between Luna and Mink’s characters, which provides a much-needed moment of honesty and vulnerability. However, this scene is fleeting, leaving behind a romanticized facade that ultimately rings hollow.
What remains frustrating is the film’s failure to delve deeper into why its characters are fighting for their relationship. Is it simply to fulfill the trope of a “happy ending,” or is their love truly worth fighting for? Unfortunately, the film leaves these questions unanswered, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction.
Happy Ending Netflix Movie: Final Thoughts
The actors may have embodied their characters convincingly, but the unfortunate lack of depth in these characters undermines their performances. It’s high time for a Netflix film that delves into meaningful themes beyond gratuitous sex and explores the profound personal struggles of its characters and their complex interpersonal dynamics.
Harsh (played by Yash Puri) grapples with a deadly curse inflicted upon him by a godman (portrayed by Ajay Ghosh). This curse dictates that anyone Harsh becomes physically involved with or even fantasizes about meets a bizarre demise. When he encounters Avani (portrayed by Apoorva Rao), Harsh falls deeply in love with her. However, their blossoming relationship only intensifies Harsh’s internal conflict, as he realizes that Avani’s life is now in peril due to his cursed existence. As the story unfolds, Harsh embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery behind his curse and find a way to protect Avani from its deadly consequences. This forms the central narrative of Happy Ending.
Happy Ending Review
The premise of Happy Ending centers around Harsh, a character plagued by a strange curse that results in the untimely demise of anyone he becomes involved with romantically. While this concept holds promise on paper and is introduced intriguingly at the outset of the film, director Kowshik Bheemidi’s execution falls short of expectations.
Despite its intriguing premise, the film fails to effectively utilize its comedic elements and struggles to evoke genuine romance. The early stages of the protagonist’s life capture the audience’s interest, as they are drawn into the mystery of his curse and the subsequent events that unfold.
However, Happy Ending falters in its storytelling, with a narrative that lacks coherence and fails to engage viewers effectively. The screenplay lacks a clear structure, leaving audiences feeling frustrated and disconnected from the story.
Furthermore, the characterization in the film fails to offer anything fresh or innovative. The protagonist comes across as silly and clueless, raising questions about the logic behind his curse and the motivations of the female lead who falls for him. The bland writing undermines the overall structure of the film, resulting in a lackluster viewing experience.
Another major issue with Happy Ending is its pacing, which moves at a sluggish pace, particularly in the second half. While the first half offers some comedic moments, the humor dwindles as the film progresses, testing the audience’s patience and making it difficult to endure.
Despite the shortcomings in writing and pacing, Yash Puri delivers a commendable performance in his role, despite the character’s limitations. Apoorva Rao shines as the female lead, showcasing talent and beauty in her debut film. However, the supporting cast fails to leave a lasting impression.
On a technical level, the film boasts neat visuals and production design, but is let down by cheesy dialogue and subpar editing. With close to 20 minutes that could have been trimmed to improve the pacing, Happy Ending suffers from unnecessary drag that detracts from its potential as a quirky comedy.
In conclusion, while Happy Ending had the potential to deliver a fresh and entertaining narrative, it ultimately falls short due to its flawed execution. Despite a promising premise and standout performances, the film is hampered by weak storytelling, pacing issues, and uninspired writing.
