Hector and the Search for Happiness

After i watched this movie i just felt compelled to write about it, i don't like to use spoilers, i won't deprive anyone from discovering this whole experience, the movie is sublime, with a profound meaning, very human, than i can recommend to all, especially if you are searching for happiness... the story is rich, full of contrasts, the photography maximizes the experience, and the actors are just believable, to say the least, i did believe them all, and also you will believe them, the acting is effortless, they are just great, and one special mention to Simon Pegg, which we all know for the silly roles that he plays, now he will take you through the full range of emotions. my final thought... don't miss it, this is one of these movies that you won't forget. a regular masterpiece.

Simon Pegg was a brilliant choice for this movie and the whole film is almost perfect as reflected in my rating. Based on a book, the script is pretty bloody good and, while I am usually not a fan of touchy-feely wisdom-on-a-cup kind of things, I really enjoyed the movie.

OK, sometimes it was a little bit too heavy handed and I believe that choosing an actor for the lead that didn't have Pegg's silly happy funny face could have doomed this film. As such, I wonder how have I not heard of this movie? Why is everyone talking about superheroes and no one about this film? Is it just because it is not an American film?

I thought that the script juggled very well with the viewers expectations. Then there are Jean Reno's role, Rosamund Pike's - especially after Gone Girl, I know that this movie comes first, but the result of watching it now is quite unexpected - and, of course, Christopher Plummer - may he live forever. Quite small, but perfect in their value to the story.

Bottom line: watch the film. It can't hurt and it can really help. Give it a try. It's not a new age hum and meditate thing, it's ... real? It feels so.

"Simon Pegg" in a very sophisticated role, is taking us in a journey to discover happiness and its meanings.

The movie starts slowly giving us a brief idea about his life, the complications he faces, and the main motivation to start the search for happiness.

A good thing that you will get an answer, not a direct one, but your inner voice will be satisfied with the definitions given for happiness.

"Simon Pegg" acting is remarkable here, his soul is present in his actions and reactions, which made each scene runs smoothly. All other actors did great and the movie introduced them in a very brief way.

The movie is a very light comedy, you will keep smiling the whole time, and may be laugh out loud in few scenes.

The bad points mainly about the script and the plot, the events run from one point to another very quickly and some of the actions are not justified.

Finally, it's a good light philosophical movie, not comparable to "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", but they can be categorized together. You may feel bored a little bit especially in the first half of it but then enjoyment is guaranteed.

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

I suppose the title makes clear that this is a journey and that it has some pitfalls. I mean, there is no easy solution to the problem of finding happiness. Unless you find that you had it all along. Such is the potential here as Hector (the hilarious and versatile Simon Pegg) leaves his somewhat normal but semi-nice girlfriend in London to search the world for true happiness. Yeah, really.

So it's a fable, of course. No one does this quite so easily or with such lucky (and grossly unlikely) connections along the way. But the clichés of happiness, beginning with plain old rich decadence, and then Tibetan monks who have some sense of pure deep undecadent innocent joy. And then a whole series of alternative of people who have some part of happiness. Hector takes notes and keeps going, his girlfriend frustrated but materially distracted in their posh pad.

When things turn for the worse you know (since it's a fable) that it will not stay that way. New adventures arise.

But does he find happiness? Or is it, like Dorothy in Oz, a bit like you realize there is truly no place like home?

What makes this very fun, very unexpected romp worthwhile above all is the funny fun and sometimes very serious performance by Pegg. He's got a well known screen presence from the wacky comedies (like "Shawn of the Dead") and in a way he plays off of that here. But he also transcends it enough to make you believe there is more than meets the eye here. The whole movie is fun because he's fun to be with.

And will you learn a thing about what makes people happy? I hope not, because this is a stream of clichés without much or any insight. You can shout—hey, that's not the point— but it still leaves the movie a bit superficial.

It leaves it very fun, too, however, and all is quite well in the end. See it. It's quite cheerful.

This movie is a pure joy to watch and share with others...