Hector and the Search for Happiness

"We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness, but a happiness of pursuit."

Hector (Pegg) is a psychiatrist who likes his life to run on schedule.  He is well-liked by his patients and in long-term relationship with Clara (Pike)... but he believes something is missing from his life.  He decides to take a vacation from work and research happiness.  Clara is unable to join him, but gives him a blank journal to fill with his thoughts.

He travels to China, Africa, and America.  Along the way, he everyone in his path their opinion on their definition of happiness, which he records in his notebook.   As his relationship with Clara suffers, can Hector learn to be happy?


I first discovered this film on Netflix when I was researching another film with Simon Pegg, and immediately added it to my queue.  I love Pegg in comedic roles, but he has proved that he can also tackle serious roles with ease.  This film continues to prove that Pegg carry a comedy or serious film.

The story is adapted from the novel "Le Voyage d'Hector ou la Recherche du bonheur (Hector and the Search for Happiness)" by French writer Francois Lelord.  Lelord was a psychologist, before turning to writing.  "Hector and the Search for Happiness", published in 2002, was immensely popular and in 2010 it was released in the United States.  He later published 2 sequels: "Hector et les secrets de l'amour" in 2005 ("Hector and the Secrets of Love" in the US in 2011) and "Hector et le temps" in 2006 ("Hector and the Search for Lost Time" in 2012).

I have never read any of Lelord's books, but I enjoyed the film.  It was charming, and I loved the animated pictures and handwritten notes on screen.  It was serious and heartbreaking, but also had light and funny moments.  Pegg is surrounded by talented actors, who give strong performances.

A great film, but don't go in expecting a comedy.

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014) 114 minutes
Director: Peter Chelsom
Starring: Simon Pegg as Hector
Rosamund Pike as Clara
Toni Collette as Agnes
Barry Atsma as Michael
Stellan Skarsgard as Edward
Christopher Plummer as Professor Coreman
Jean Reno as Diego Baresco
Ming Zhao as Ying Li
Chris Gauthier as Roger