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

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:

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

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 e a Procura da Felicidade

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,847, 19 September 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,121,961, 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

Simon Pegg and Rosamund Pike play a couple in this movie. They previously appeared together in The World's End (2013).

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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

References Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

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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

Fanstastic, modern film with fine performances

I loved this film. It made me smile throughout and laugh out loud at several points. The performances are excellent, with Simon Pegg in particular turning in his usual high standard of performance as Hector.

I loved the locations, many of the supporting characters, the time-span and the punctuation of the film with Hector's findings about Happiness as his "research" developed. For me, this gave the film a modern feel.

It was beautifully shot. I even enjoyed the ending and the discomfort it induced in some members of the audience.

A masterpiece of a movie. I could watch it again and again and will buy the DVD so I can watch it at Christmas or when I'm ill because it will make me feel better, just like a feel-good movie is meant to. 10/10