Hector et la recherche du bonheur (2014)

A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

Director:

Peter Chelsom

Writers:

Maria von Heland (screenplay), Peter Chelsom (screenplay)

Stars:

Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Tracy Ann Oberman

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Pegg	...	Hector
Rosamund Pike	...	Clara
Tracy Ann Oberman	...	Pathetic Jane
Jean Reno	...	Diego Baresco
Veronica Ferres	...	Anjali
Barry Atsma	...	Michael
Ming Zhao	...	Ying Li
Togo Igawa	...	Old Monk
Christopher Plummer	...	Professor Coreman
Bruce Fontaine	...	Malcolm
Chad Willett	...	Alan
Bernard Cuffling	...	Professor Niedorf
Jakob Davies	...	Young Hector
Chris Gauthier	...	Roger
Dean Paul Gibson	...	Joyless Husband

Storyline

A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | swimming pool | beach | hotel room | traveling | 

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Taglines:

The best part of life is living it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

Germany Canada UK South Africa

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

14 August 2014 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Hector et la recherche du bonheur

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$40,847 (USA) (19 September 2014)

Gross:

$1,121,961 (USA) (12 December 2014)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Egoli Tossell Film, Film Afrika Worldwide, Construction Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

United Star Trek actors Simon Pegg (Scotty in Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Star Trek Beyond (2016)) and Christopher Plummer (Chang in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)).

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Goofs

Agnes' vehicle is a Ford Escape with a body style that was not released until the 2013 model year. Its California license plate, however, starts with 3NQI. California plates are numbered sequentially. 3N* plates were issued to vehicles circa 1996-7. Standard plates like this do not transfer to newer vehicles, but remain with the vehicle even when sold, so this plate could not have been issued to this vehicle.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Hector: [waking suddenly from a nightmare] Clara!
Clara: Hector... Morning, sweetheart. Time to raise and shine.
Hector: [narrating] One upon a time, there was a young psychiatrist called Hector, who had a very satisfactory life. His world was tidy, uncomplicated. And he liked it that way. He took great comfort in its predictable patterns. Patterns his girl friend Clara was happy to maintain.

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Connections

Featured in Projector: Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

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Soundtracks

Hearts Ne Kotoko
written & performed by 'Hedzoleh Soundz'
published by Soundway Records Ltd.
courtesy of Soundway Records Ltd.

User Reviews

I loved this film.

In the mood for a film, I stopped by the local art house cinema this afternoon. Of the films on offer, this looked like it might be good, though I didn't know too much about what it was about, and really didn't expect much.

Turned out to be a great film. Funny, poignant, and inspiring all at once. Simon Pegg is terrific as a psychiatrist who experiences a sort of existential crisis, and decides to disrupt his tidy, organize, and predictable life to search for the makings of Happiness. His research produces a collection of Buddhist-like conclusions about what may or may not lead to happiness. Along the way, Pegg's character, Hector, begins to 'live', and we the viewer, if we're paying attention, gain some philosophical insights.

The more I think about this film, the more layers of meaning and nuance I realize were lurking beneath the surface of this thoroughly delightful movie. I left the cinema feeling introspective, inspired, and ...Happy. I was moved to indulge in some of the little things that make me happy: a few bars of Amedei chocolate, a meander through the arboretum, a book of poetry; as well as moved to examine what things in my life lead to happiness, and what things lead to unhappiness.

This is a film I would like to see again, and will likely purchase for my movie library.