The Search for Happiness

What is happiness? What makes you happy? 

Recently, the ex-gf-now-wife and I watched the 2014 film 'Hector and The Search for Happiness.' [No, this is not the Will Smith-starred 'Pursuit of Happyness.' Which is another great film btw.]

Starring Simon Pegg, it sounded like a premise for 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', or basically a guy version of 'Eat, Pray, Love.' These films about self-help or about looking for the true meaning of life or living can be exhausting, cliché-filled or worn for most of the time. But for all those stated reasons, it can always be effective to any viewer at one time or another. 

It was based on a book with the same title, and as always with book-to-film adaptations, Hector's list is different and customised for the film. [Which reminds me to add the book to my ever-growing list of books to read.]

This movie did not sound preachy or trying too hard giving you a random '17 things you need to do before you reach the age of X.' It was light and subtle, and importantly fun. 

It is an adventure of an English psychiatrist with a seemingly 'alright' life of work and a 'too-good-to-be-true' of a partner. Then fate as may have it, he found the courage and the urge to fulfil his dream of travel and adventure for the search for happiness. He wrote it down on his little journal as he unravels the wisdom he gathers from across the globe, from Europe, to Asia to Africa and back.

Here is the film's list by Hector:

*Potential spoilers ahead.*

1. Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.
2. A lot of people think, happiness means being richer, or more important.
3. Many people only see happiness in their future.
4. Happiness could be the freedom to love more than one woman at the same time.
5. Sometimes, happiness is not knowing the whole story.
6. Avoiding unhappiness is not the road to happiness.
7. Does this person bring you predominantly: a) up or b) down?
8. Happiness is, answering your calling
9. Happiness is being loved for who you are.
10. Sweet Potato Stew!
11. Fear is an impediment to happiness.
12. Happiness is feeling completely alive.
13. Happiness is knowing how to celebrate.
14. Listening is loving.
15. Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

Agree or disagree with some of the list? And yes, sweet potato stew appeared to be really fantastically nice! 

Overall, it is a good feel-good film. (That sounded redundant does it?) As for those who have read the book, I'd like to learn of your thoughts and review on this one. I personally have lots of favourite moments and quotes from the film, and I think this one sums it up really well:

How about you, what makes you happy? Sometimes that is not a question that needs to be answered, it needs to be discovered. :)

Note: For awesome gifs, images of the film, please visit: hectorandthesearchforhappiness.tumblr.com. 

I do not take any credit for the images used on this post.  Credits to the owners and the website.