by Missy Thompson
GUEST COLUMNIST
Many of the movies made by local filmmakers are a trite look at Utah culture and the dominant LDS religion. They are usually not made well, with mediocre acting and a storyline that caters to a specific group of people.
I have been waiting for a film, made in Utah, to break this mold and transcend those boundaries of religion and culture. I never thought it would be a documentary about this state's use and abuse of prescription and illegal drugs.
"Happy Valley" is an ironic name for this true-life story made by CEO and entrepreneur Ron Williams, who set out making this film to reunite his daughter with his drug-addicted ex-wife. In the process of doing so, he found many people who are currently addicted to drugs or know of someone who is addicted.
Drug addiction in Utah is like the big elephant in the middle of the room that everyone sees but no one talks about. I'm fairly sure everyone knows of someone who has at one point been on or addicted to drugs. Although the focus of "Happy Valley" is on prescription drug abuse. Williams' stepdaughter was an illegal drug addict who watched her best friend die of an overdose, and was eventually sent to prison for negligent homicide.
All of the interviews are honest and those interviewed do not seem as if they have an agenda to make themselves famous. They seem like everyday, ordinary people who want others to know about how drugs affected their life. This honesty is what makes "Happy Valley" so heart-wrenching. So many people have known a person who has died of a drug overdose. This film will affect them in many ways. I teared up a few times thinking of people I did not know personally, but knew of who have died too young.
In addition to Williams' ex-wife and stepdaughter, a drug addict who uses a pseudonym pours his heart out to Williams about the hardships he faces on a daily basis. He wants to be clean, he wants to no longer be addicted to drugs, but doesn't know how he can do it. Thanks to Williams, he checks himself into rehab and gets on the road to sobriety.
This story is so honest that it makes the "Happy Valley" very worthwhile to watch. While the other interviews are about people who have died, or overdosed and lived, this is one where you can see action taking place. Many people who are addicted have a difficult time coming forward to anyone about their problem and seeking help.
People in Utah seem to turn their heads away from the signs of drug abuse. Because of that, "Happy Valley" is a movie to watch. Being a true-life documentary makes the problem seem more real. We all know it is out there, not only in Utah, but also in just about every town across the country.
I thank Ron Williams for making "Happy Valley." This is the type of movie that needed to be made in Utah for Utahns to watch, learn and appreciate.
missy@tooeletranscript.com
Grade: B+
Rated: PG-13
Time: 90 minutes
Opens Wednesday