Hector and the Search for Happiness (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

Disillusioned, psychiatrist Hector confesses to his girlfriend that he feels he is a fraud for dispensing recommendations to patients who never seemed to improve or get happier. He considers breaking out of his lackluster routine. Summoning up some courage, Hector gives his starved curiosity free reign and embarks on an internatonal quest to find the right formula to bring him joy and vitality.

---

Plot Keywords:

nude asian woman | mysterious chinese woman | africa | held at gunpoint | flashbacks | 

---

Taglines:

Sometimes to find yourself you need to get a little lost

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The second of two 2014 films to feature Toni Collette and Rosamund Pike, although they do not share the same scene here. The first was A Long Way Down (2014).

---

Goofs

When Hector lands Shanghai, it is actually HK airport.

---

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.

---

Connections

References The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Never A Loser
composed by Walter Chukwu
performed by Abraham's Seed
published by Vizo Music / Sheer Publishing
courtesy of Vizo Records

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

Germany Canada UK South Africa USA

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

14 August 2014 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,847, 21 September 2014

Gross USA:

$1,124,445

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,337,728

Company Credits

Production Co:

Egoli Tossell Pictures, Film Afrika Worldwide, Construction Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1