In Happy Ending, Luna and her boyfriend Mink have been seeing each other for a year. Within this time the young couple have grown close, have moved in together, and have developed an almost perfect relationship.
However, there’s one significant problem. The couple have had sex 132 times, and unbeknown to Mink, Luna has had to fake all 132 orgasms – something which has become a source of frustration.
While out for dinner on the night of their one-year anniversary, the idea of a threesome becomes the topic of discussion. Although they both tiptoe around the conversation, it’s something Luna is keen to explore (due to the sexual shortcomings she experiences with Mink) and they both agree to the idea.
After a seemingly difficult search to find a ‘third’, the couple eventually hit the jackpot when they stumble upon Eve – a young woman they both strike a chord with. But will opening the relationship up to Eve prove a wise move?
Written and directed by Joosje Duk, Happy Ending is a Dutch sex-comedy-drama. The film stars Gaite Jansen, Martijn Lakemeier, and Joy Delima, and is new to Netflix from today.
Centring its story around the idea of sexual exploration, the film looks at the emotional (and physical) highs and lows of opening up a relationship. Happy Ending discusses what can work, what can cause problems, and all the bits in between.
Although the movie does highlight the difficulties of turning a twosome into a threesome, Happy Endingtakes a fairly positive stance. The film isn’t about tearing down polyamory, it merely wants to highlight the bumps that can occur.
So, while Luna and Mink do experience some difficulties, they also encounter some positives too. The combination of good and bad helps the movie to maintain an even balance, and opens up some important conversations about trust and honesty.
While their relationship seemed fairly stable prior to the threesome, clearly there were some issues for Luna which were not being addressed. These issues become a key part of the movie post-threesome, and highlight the importance of everyone being open with their feelings.
What I like about Happy Ending is the way it doesn’t attempt to suggest a monogamous relationship is better than a polygamous one, or vice versa. Yes, one of these relationships does fall by the wayside by the end of the film, but the story is about the lead characters and the growth they undertake as they explore their own attitudes toward sex.
Whether Luna and Mink end up alone, together, or with Eve almost becomes irrelevant. The important thing is they develop as people, understand that communication is always key, and can learn to move forward with a better understanding of themselves.
This isn’t a doom and gloom picture about the problems of threesomes, nor is it a whimsical love story either. It’s a film which reflects real people, experiencing real thoughts, feelings, and emotions in the 21st Century, and it tackles its subject matter head on.
Will Happy Ending be for everyone? No, I don’t expect so, but then, what is?
I imagine those who are curious about the premise, or those with experience in opening up a relationship will get the most out of it, while others may be less fussed. However, it’s a well put together film, with a cast who gel – especially Gaite Jansen and Joy Delima – and it has some good direction.
Ok, so I would like a touch more humour, and a bit more spark in places, but Happy Ending is decent stuff. It gets to the heart of its story without a lot of faffing about, and doesn’t become too complicated or messy.
Not likely to blow anyone’s socks off, but decent nonetheless, Happy Ending is an interesting and (for some) insightful movie. It doesn’t necessarily push any boundaries, but it does offer up a some good discussions.
For those who are open-minded this could be a film for you. Not amazing, but decent and likeable with good intentions.
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