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IMDbPro

Hector and the Search for Happiness

  • 20142014
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
48K
YOUR RATING
Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
Hector is a quirky psychiatrist who has become increasingly tired of his humdrum life. As he tells his girlfriend, Clara, he feels like a fraud: he hasnÂ’t really tasted life, and yet heÂ’s offering advice to patients who are just not getting any happier. So Hector decides to break out of his deluded and routine driven life. Armed with buckets of courage and child-like curiosity, he embarks on a global quest in hopes of uncovering the elusive secret formula for true happiness.
Play trailer2:33
27 Videos
72 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
48K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Chelsom
  • Writers
    • Maria von Heland(screenplay)
    • Peter Chelsom(screenplay)
    • Tinker Lindsay(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Simon Pegg
    • Rosamund Pike
    • Tracy-Ann Oberman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Chelsom
  • Writers
    • Maria von Heland(screenplay)
    • Peter Chelsom(screenplay)
    • Tinker Lindsay(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Simon Pegg
    • Rosamund Pike
    • Tracy-Ann Oberman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 145User reviews
    • 123Critic reviews
    • 29Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos27

    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:33
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    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:38
    International Trailer
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    Clip 1:14
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    Clip 1:39
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    Clip 1:19
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    Clip 0:37
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    Clip 1:23
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    Clip 1:36
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    Clip 2:24
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    Clip 1:15
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    Photos72

    Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Barry Atsma and Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Simon Pegg and Rosamund Pike in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Peter Chelsom, Simon Pegg, and Rosamund Pike in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Simon Pegg and Rosamund Pike in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Rosamund Pike in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Robbie Brenner, Peter Chelsom, Veronica Ferres, and Tucker Tooley in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Peter Chelsom and Veronica Ferres in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    Peter Chelsom and Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Simon Pegg
    Simon Pegg
    • Hectoras Hector
    Rosamund Pike
    Rosamund Pike
    • Claraas Clara
    Tracy-Ann Oberman
    Tracy-Ann Oberman
    • Pathetic Janeas Pathetic Jane
    • (as Tracy Ann Oberman)
    Jean Reno
    Jean Reno
    • Diego Barescoas Diego Baresco
    Veronica Ferres
    Veronica Ferres
    • Anjalias Anjali
    Barry Atsma
    Barry Atsma
    • Michaelas Michael
    Ming Zhao
    Ming Zhao
    • Ying Lias Ying Li
    Togo Igawa
    Togo Igawa
    • Old Monkas Old Monk
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Professor Coremanas Professor Coreman
    Bruce Fontaine
    Bruce Fontaine
    • Malcolmas Malcolm
    Chad Willett
    Chad Willett
    • Alanas Alan
    Bernard Cuffling
    • Professor Niedorfas Professor Niedorf
    Jakob Davies
    Jakob Davies
    • Young Hectoras Young Hector
    Chris Gauthier
    Chris Gauthier
    • Rogeras Roger
    Dean Paul Gibson
    • Joyless Husbandas Joyless Husband
    Michael Adamthwaite
    Michael Adamthwaite
    • Queen's Guardas Queen's Guard
    Vincent Gale
    Vincent Gale
    • Clara's Bossas Clara's Boss
    Gabrielle Rose
    Gabrielle Rose
    • French Proprietressas French Proprietress
    • Director
      • Peter Chelsom
    • Writers
      • Maria von Heland(screenplay)
      • Peter Chelsom(screenplay)
      • Tinker Lindsay(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Hector and the Search for Happiness: Around the World with Simon Pegg
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Hector visits the Himalayas, the flags are Tibetan prayer flags, whose colors represent the five elements. Health and harmony can be produced with the balance of all the elements. It is the belief that the wind will carry the prayers and mantras to provide good will and compassion to the surrounding areas.
    • Goofs
      Hector uses computers and more specifically Skype several times to videochat with his girlfriend, yet none of the computers he uses seem to be equipped with the necessary camera or microphone that enables his girlfriend to see and hear him.
    • Quotes

      Hector: 1. Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.

      Hector: 2. A lot of people think happiness means being richer or more important.

      Hector: 3. Many people only see happiness in their future.

      Hector: 4. Happiness could be the freedom to love more than one woman at the same time.

      Hector: 5. Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story.

      Hector: 6. Avoiding unhappiness is not the road to happiness.

      Hector: 7. Does this person bring you predominantly a. up b. down?

      Hector: 8. Happiness is answering your calling.

      Hector: 9. Happiness is being loved for who you are.

      Hector: 10. Sweet Potato Stew!

      Hector: 11. Fear is an impediment to happiness.

      Hector: 12. Happiness is feeling completely alive.

      Hector: 13. Happiness is knowing how to celebrate.

      Hector: 14. Listening is loving.

      Hector: 15. Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

    • Connections
      Featured in Projector: Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All
      Written by Dan Mangan & Kenton Loewen

      Performed by Dan Mangan

      Orchestral arrangements by Eyvind Kang

      Published by Dan Mangan Music (SOCAN)

      Courtesy of Arts & Crafts Productions

    User reviews145

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    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.
    helpful•103
    33
    • drturker-bayrak
    • Aug 18, 2014

    FAQ1

    • Who provides the narration? It sounds like Ian McKellan.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 2014 (Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
      • South Africa
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Hành Trình Đến Hạnh Phúc
    • Filming locations
      • Karwendel Mountains, Bavaria, Germany
    • Production companies
      • Egoli Tossell Pictures
      • Film Afrika Worldwide
      • Construction Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,124,445
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $40,847
      • Sep 21, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,337,728
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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