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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

Sometimes to find yourself you need to get a little lost

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgård previously appeared in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011).

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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

Referenced in Kill Me Three Times Q&A (2015)

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Soundtracks

Chinese Restaurant
written by Henning Fuchs
published by Fuchsmusik

User Reviews

A rather mature film from Simon Pegg

At the time of writing this review, there is a massive absence of films suitable for audience who does not necessarily enjoy titles such as Expendables III or Hercules. If you happen to be one who seeks some deeper meaning in your movie experience, this film is for you. In fact if you are not, you may still find some aspects of the film entertaining enough.

In summary, the main character Hector has some grown up problems and in order to find some closure to his past issues, he takes an epic journey. From a Simon Pegg film, you would expect these journeys to be very funny and light adventures. Sometimes these adventures are indeed funny and light but mostly they are rather serious. Issues faced include midlife crisis, relationship problems, corruption and poverty in Africa, etc. The film has a fast enough phase an it is never boring or depressing, yet it can be both funny and serious at the same time. I believe the film is currently underrated by the IMDb crowd.

If you have watched Simon Pegg films with zombies, aliens or cops and you are looking to find more of the same experience, this film might not satisfy your expectations. This film is a genuine and sometimes lightly philosophical attempt to ponder and think about what makes us human beings happy and satisfied with ourselves.

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 Film, Film Afrika Worldwide, Construction Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1