Happy Valley

Name: Happy Valley
Genre: Drama, Sport, Documentary
Released: November 19, 2014
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 76

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Happy Valley

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Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: November 19, 2014 | Not Rated

Summary: Nestled in the idyllic area known as Happy Valley lies the town of State College and the home of Penn State University. For over 40 years, Joe Paterno was the celebrated head coach of the school's storied football team. Lauded not only for his program's success on the field, but also for students’ achievements in the classroom, Paterno wasNestled in the idyllic area known as Happy Valley lies the town of State College and the home of Penn State University. For over 40 years, Joe Paterno was the celebrated head coach of the school's storied football team. Lauded not only for his program's success on the field, but also for students’ achievements in the classroom, Paterno was a revered figure in a town where team loyalty approached nationalistic fervor. Then in November 2011 everything changed when longtime assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse, setting off a firestorm of accusations about who failed to protect the children of Happy Valley. [Music Box Films]… Expand

Director: Amir Bar-Lev

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Oktay Ege Kozak

Nov 18, 2014

As it did with the actual case, Happy Valley will divide audiences and create heated discussions over the many contradicting reactions given by its subjects. However, there’s one point that won’t be controversial: It’s one of the best documentaries of the year. Read full review

David Denby

Nov 17, 2014

Happy Valley is a devastating portrait of a community — and, by extension, a nation — put under a spell, even reduced to grateful infantilism, by the game of football. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Nov 18, 2014

Nothing in this film (and little in any other movie this year) compares to the scenes of Sandusky's adopted son, Matt, recounting his realization that the charges of pedophilia against Sandusky squared with the ways Sandusky had treated him, too — treatment he'd never been brave enough to admit. Read full review

Noel Murray

Nov 18, 2014

Happy Valley’s subject matter is difficult, but not Bar-Lev’s approach, which unfolds like an outstanding piece of long-form magazine reportage, taking into account history, culture, and the personalities of multiple major characters. Read full review

David Lewis

Dec 4, 2014

The film’s strongest point of view is that big-time football has become a precious way of life and induces a religious fervor that can warp the judgment of even well-intentioned people. It’s not a groundbreaking thesis, but we still get a fascinating tour of a town that may never be the same again. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Nov 20, 2014

It's slightly frustrating that the movie doesn't venture a point-of-view on any of these larger issues, which are less clear cut than the matters of sexual abuse and its immediate enablers. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Nov 18, 2014

Happy Valley’s interviews with figures directly related to the case—Paterno’s widow and sons; Sandusky’s adopted stepson, who suddenly declared himself another of Sandusky’s victims toward the end of the trial, after having previously denied having been abused—shed no light on the subject whatsoever, coming across like an obligatory waste of time. Read full review

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User Reviews

smarttcareer

May 22, 2016

Really good show with a great cast. If I had one complaint it would be that these 6 episode British shows can feel a little rushed in places. The pacing seems OK at first but then in the back end of the series it's like they try to fit everything into one episode. Peaky Blinders has aReally good show with a great cast. If I had one complaint it would be that these 6 episode British shows can feel a little rushed in places. The pacing seems OK at first but then in the back end of the series it's like they try to fit everything into one episode. Peaky Blinders has a similar problem.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

howhaveyouben

Mar 23, 2016

It tries to remain impartial, but almost all of the people interviewed defend Paterno. Only the lawyer for the victims is interviewed saying that the administration in addition to the community and culture were complacent and turned a blind eye to Sandusky. It shows that the fans are insaneIt tries to remain impartial, but almost all of the people interviewed defend Paterno. Only the lawyer for the victims is interviewed saying that the administration in addition to the community and culture were complacent and turned a blind eye to Sandusky. It shows that the fans are insane and obsessed often making people nervous for their safety. The worst part is they have rational people like Paterno's widow, Son's, Biographer, and some teacher defending Paterno and trying to deny that the culture played any role in the cover up. There are also multiple interviews with community members devoted to Paterno who refuse to take a look at themselves and realize that their blind adoration and obsession with legacy could possibly be the reason that someone would want to hide any blemishes. It doesn't defend Paterno or defend the community, but it turns a blind eye to the root cause of this phenomenon. This movie had a real opportunity to show the fans who they really are and try to take off the rose colored glasses and add some perspective, but it drops the ball. Maybe it's impossible to find someone in that town who thinks that the innocence of children might be a little more important than a washed up coach from the 50's and his win record, but it doesn't seem like they tried too hard.… Expand

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