Hector and the Search for Happiness - A Movie Review

What is happiness?

Hector and the Search for Happiness traveled into theaters in 2014. Based on the book by Francois Lelord, Hector is a psychiatrist who finds himself questioning happiness. To get out of this weird mood, Hector packs up and travels the world. In his adventures, he meets new people, experiences new cultures, and achieves goals he never imagined.

Happiness is a complex concept because it means different things to a lot of people. Hector and the Search for Happiness is a heartwarming film that takes a typical route, but conveys a vibrant message about living life to the fullest.

I have become a fan of Simon Pegg and went on a search for more of his films. Pegg plays Hector, a man with a big imagination, and learns more about himself than he expects. Hector keeps a log of everything he learns in his travels.

We already know that Pegg is a comedy wizard, but his profound emotional acting needs to be recognized more. In the three movies I have seen Pegg in, he’s embraced vulnerability, a rarity in male actors.

Two things come with traveling: seeing new sights and meeting eccentric people. Both are a given. That’s my favorite aspect about travel films. Hector meets a lot of other characters during his travels, helping him learn new life lessons. Small roles have bigger impacts than one realizes. Everyone breathes life into their roles.

Rosamund Pike, who is known for playing antagonists, instead plays Hector’s loving girlfriend, Clara. There was a moment where I thought she’d turn on him with his absence, but no. Couples always need to talk about how long-distance relationships will work.

I had this film on my list because my favorite actress starred in it. Although her role is small, Toni Collette is always amazing in anything she does. Credits also include Stellan Skarsgard, Jean Reno, Veronica Ferres, and the late Christopher Plummer.

Director Peter Chelsom immediately liked the book when he first read it. He had a hand in writing the script with Maria von Heland and Tinker Lindsay. He felt it was a personal project and wanted the film to have a positive impact on viewers. They researched traveling and certain science experiments shown in the film.

Traveling is a must, and this film takes viewers all around the world to several locations. Johannesburg, South Africa, British Columbia, and Canada, serve as location spots. Cinematographer Kolja Brandt captures both the vibrancy and vulnerability of these settings, emphasizing how important travel is.

The film embraces a whimsical visual style. One thing I appreciate about this film is how it journals Hector’s happiness tips onscreen. Scene transitions are playful, and the pacing mirrors the unpredictable rhythm of travel itself.

The main tone is silly and comical, but there’s a serious undertone. Occasionally, Hector finds himself in dangerous situations and even gets captured when he’s in another country. Happiness isn’t something you have to be all the time. It’s okay to feel different emotions, and you shouldn’t suppress them.

Human kindness is a theme among several in this movie. One of my favorite moments is Hector helping an ill woman on the plane. Hector and the Search for Happiness is a relatable story about something everyone is trying to find: happiness. Sometimes you don’t have to look too far.

Hector and the Search for Happiness is a feel-good movie. I need to read the book it’s based on. The ending melted my heart and made me smile. It’s a good movie to watch with friends, family, or if you’re searching for something new to watch.