Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014) User Reviews (157)

A rather mature film from Simon Pegg

[drturker-bayrak · 8/10 · 18 August 2014]

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.

French whimsy with an English touch

[johnklem · 7/10 · 7 January 2015]

I'd decided on the title for this review before I learnt that the source material was a French novel. That explains a great deal. Hector and the... is a deeply felt, funny, moving, insightful and whimsical look at how we (fail to) make the best of life. The film makes its points adroitly, avoiding (sometimes barely but a miss is as good as a mile)maudlin sentimentality. It's liberally sprinkled with perfect one-liners, acute observations and star cameos but the glue that holds the whole thing together is the relationship between Hector and his girlfriend. It's heartrendingly real. The version that I watched was a full ten minutes shorter than the original runtime and I'd guess that the few dots that failed to join up as needed were a result of that USA audience edit. Another guess would lead me to give the full length cut an eight rather than a seven. Here's the deal. It's a feel-good movie for which you won't need a supply of sick bags. By the end, I felt... happier. Really!

It won't blow your mind, but it's a slight film to cheer you up

[squirrel_burst · 7/10 · 18 November 2014]

"Hector and the Search for Happiness" is a warm little comedy/drama that isn't necessarily insightful on what it takes to make people happy, but it will lift up your spirits nonetheless. Hector (Simon Pegg) is a, well, there's no other word for it, boring psychiatrist. He is bored with his job, doodles a lot, is basically being mothered by his girlfriend (Rosamund Pike as Clara), doesn't have many friends and isn't really doing anything with his life. One day he comes to a realization that he really can't help his patients get out of their depressions or solve their problems because he isn't happy himself. He doesn't want to admit it to his girlfriend, but he also still pines for that one girl that could have been "the one" (Toni Collette as Agnes) that he lost years ago. He decides to take an impromptu trip exploring the world. Taking notes along the way, he meets a slew of different characters, all of which have different views and beliefs on what happiness is all about and comes to his own conclusions after living through all sorts of adventures.

Despite the title, I wouldn't call this film a guide to finding true bliss. It's more a dramatic adventure, with some comedy sprinkled on top, of a guy who is unhappy and decides that he is going to find a way to change that. The main reason I'm saying this is because Hector doesn't really come to any mind-blowing conclusions about happiness and your average Joe can't exactly take an impromptu vacation from his job to go flying to China, Africa and Los Angeles on a whim. The film is more of a journey for Hector, with you being invited to come along for the ride. For this character, the conclusions he comes to really are mind-blowing because he's basically been a zombie for many years. When I say that this film isn't going to necessarily change your interpretation of happiness, that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just that I want you to know what you're getting into before you decide to watch the film.

When it comes to Hector's adventures and encounters, there are some nice moments of sweetness, of comedy and even a few moments of genuine tension and fear. You might think that this film is a straight comedy from the casting of Simon Pegg in the lead, but that's not really the case. Many of his encounters begin as comedic but eventually turn into disappointments. Hector catalogs what he has and hasn't discovered in his sketchbook and moves on. It's like being in college and going for a work placement. You go to a place and figure that you'll get a ton of experience and probably even get offered a job. Odds are, you'll leave slightly disappointed, but wiser than you were before you arrived and in retrospect, you'll cherish those memories. Part of you wonders what it would have been like if things had gone differently, but when you go to the next work placement, you realize that the one job you might have had but didn't get might not have been what you were looking for in the first place. I really enjoyed this aspect of the film, the series of encounters where Hector meets the different people whose lives intersect with his in different ways. My favorites probably being a rich businessman played by Stellan Skarsgard who decides to show him what his vision of happiness is and the beautiful woman named Ying Li (Ming Zhao) that he immediately grows close to soon after. Hector encounters new people, makes some friends, puts notes into his sketchbook, begins realizing who he really is and then keeps moving on to the next step in his self-discovery. It turns out to be a warm quest and you're glad to go along for the ride.

Just because there are some pretty heavy moments of drama, it doesn't mean that the film is a downer. There are some very funny moments throughout, particularly in the wisdom he finds in the simple people of Africa (I know the continent is huge and that's a broad statement, but I can't recall which country, if it is even specifically mentioned). The film also has many whimsical moments where his drawings and sketches are brought to life or Hector finds himself daydreaming about his childhood. I actually admire the delicate balance that the director/screenplay writer Peter Chelsom managed to accomplish here. The brief amount of comedy is just enough to offset the dramatic moments and that blend balances the moments of enlightenment and discovery very well. You will also very much enjoy the semi fantastical developments in Hector's adventures. It helps ease you through the dramatic moments because deep down you get that it might look pretty dire at times but things are ultimately going to be alright. They say that a foul mood is contagious. "Hector and the Search for Happiness" shows that a good mood can be contagious as well. This is the kind of movie that you go to watch with your family and everyone comes out of the theater with a smile on their face, even if they weren't blown away. It's a slight little film, and probably not what you expect to be but that's OK. "Hector and the Search for Happiness" is just what you need to cleanse your pallet after the summer blockbusters and the fall thrillers to reset your mood back to cheery, wide-eyed and optimistic. (Theatrical version on the big screen, October 7, 2014)

Great fun---what else do you need?

[secondtake · 7/10 · 12 June 2015]

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

I suppose the title makes clear that this is a journey and that it has some pitfalls. I mean, there is no easy solution to the problem of finding happiness. Unless you find that you had it all along. Such is the potential here as Hector (the hilarious and versatile Simon Pegg) leaves his somewhat normal but semi-nice girlfriend in London to search the world for true happiness. Yeah, really.

So it's a fable, of course. No one does this quite so easily or with such lucky (and grossly unlikely) connections along the way. But the clichés of happiness, beginning with plain old rich decadence, and then Tibetan monks who have some sense of pure deep undecadent innocent joy. And then a whole series of alternative of people who have some part of happiness. Hector takes notes and keeps going, his girlfriend frustrated but materially distracted in their posh pad.

When things turn for the worse you know (since it's a fable) that it will not stay that way. New adventures arise.

But does he find happiness? Or is it, like Dorothy in Oz, a bit like you realize there is truly no place like home?

What makes this very fun, very unexpected romp worthwhile above all is the funny fun and sometimes very serious performance by Pegg. He's got a well known screen presence from the wacky comedies (like "Shawn of the Dead") and in a way he plays off of that here. But he also transcends it enough to make you believe there is more than meets the eye here. The whole movie is fun because he's fun to be with.

And will you learn a thing about what makes people happy? I hope not, because this is a stream of clichés without much or any insight. You can shout—hey, that's not the point— but it still leaves the movie a bit superficial.

It leaves it very fun, too, however, and all is quite well in the end. See it. It's quite cheerful.

I loved this film.

[sfgeoff-913-424177 · 10/10 · 4 October 2014]

In the mood for a film, I stopped by the local art house cinema this afternoon. Of the films on offer, this looked like it might be good, though I didn't know too much about what it was about, and really didn't expect much.

Turned out to be a great film. Funny, poignant, and inspiring all at once. Simon Pegg is terrific as a psychiatrist who experiences a sort of existential crisis, and decides to disrupt his tidy, organize, and predictable life to search for the makings of Happiness. His research produces a collection of Buddhist-like conclusions about what may or may not lead to happiness. Along the way, Pegg's character, Hector, begins to 'live', and we the viewer, if we're paying attention, gain some philosophical insights.

The more I think about this film, the more layers of meaning and nuance I realize were lurking beneath the surface of this thoroughly delightful movie. I left the cinema feeling introspective, inspired, and ...Happy. I was moved to indulge in some of the little things that make me happy: a few bars of Amedei chocolate, a meander through the arboretum, a book of poetry; as well as moved to examine what things in my life lead to happiness, and what things lead to unhappiness.

This is a film I would like to see again, and will likely purchase for my movie library.

What are the insights?

[Laakbaar · 6/10 · 18 May 2015]

This is pilgrimage movie about a burnt-out British psychiatrist travelling to China, Africa and LA to discover the truth about happiness. It's an interesting enough film, promising to dispense grand truths about happiness. However, the movie lapses into cheesiness and triteness. I blame the writing or the story, because the movie was well made and the acting was good enough. I can't say I came out of the movie learning anything profound about happiness at all. The happiness insights seemed sophomoric. I want to finish by saying that the movie had a few nice points and did move me, especially near the end. Worth about 6.5 in my book.

It's theeeee most meaningful movie i have ever seen

[uniqueritwick · 10/10 · 18 January 2015]

This is for the first time I am writing a review for a movie despite the fact that i have been a big time movie buff for 20 years. Reason...I was compelled to step out of my own resignation. Of all the brilliant movies out there, this one, in my humble opinion, has the power to shift something deep inside 'most' people. Most.... but not all,,, for some people are so inured into the vagaries of life that they might lose patience with a somewhat slow pace of the movie. Well, losers....have patience...it will pay. If you are someone who values time....YOUR TIME...ON THIS PLANET...you've gotta watch this. There is no incomprehensible philosophical blabbering in this....just plain and authentic experiential learning of a psychiatrist committed to figuring out the answer of perhaps the oldest question of mankind in a non judgmental objective way. Categorically recommended to everyone with even an ounce of brain.

Watch it if you want to know a simple meaning of Happiness.

[MplusA92 · 7/10 · 22 November 2018]

"Simon Pegg" in a very sophisticated role, is taking us in a journey to discover happiness and its meanings.

The movie starts slowly giving us a brief idea about his life, the complications he faces, and the main motivation to start the search for happiness.

A good thing that you will get an answer, not a direct one, but your inner voice will be satisfied with the definitions given for happiness.

"Simon Pegg" acting is remarkable here, his soul is present in his actions and reactions, which made each scene runs smoothly. All other actors did great and the movie introduced them in a very brief way.

The movie is a very light comedy, you will keep smiling the whole time, and may be laugh out loud in few scenes.

The bad points mainly about the script and the plot, the events run from one point to another very quickly and some of the actions are not justified.

Finally, it's a good light philosophical movie, not comparable to "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", but they can be categorized together. You may feel bored a little bit especially in the first half of it but then enjoyment is guaranteed.

An unhappy experience all round

[mingsphinx · 1/10 · 25 February 2015]

Unless you are the sort of person who feels sorry for well to do middle aged White men who go through a mid-life crisis and insist on living out their fantasies with exotic women while somehow still maintaining that they are nice guys and not jerks, this film will put you off.

Happiness is a very difficult subject to tackle. So difficult in fact that no one has ever defined what it really is even though we all seem to think we know what it might be. A movie whose theme is about finding happiness is therefore likely to fall short and this one certainly does.

There is no depth in its explorations and its treatment of women and use of racial stereotypes can give rise to offense. After putting through the audience to nearly two hours of uninspired and rather awkward sketches, the final synthesis is that Hector -- a White male doctor with a thriving London practice -- has it good and for that he is happy.

Well, duh.

introspective; Simon Pegg ... Amazing

[luisfveloz · 10/10 · 26 January 2015]

After i watched this movie i just felt compelled to write about it, i don't like to use spoilers, i won't deprive anyone from discovering this whole experience, the movie is sublime, with a profound meaning, very human, than i can recommend to all, especially if you are searching for happiness... the story is rich, full of contrasts, the photography maximizes the experience, and the actors are just believable, to say the least, i did believe them all, and also you will believe them, the acting is effortless, they are just great, and one special mention to Simon Pegg, which we all know for the silly roles that he plays, now he will take you through the full range of emotions. my final thought... don't miss it, this is one of these movies that you won't forget. a regular masterpiece.

Never really knows what it wants to be

[bowmanblue · 6/10 · 10 April 2015]

Once I'd watched 'Hector and the Search for Happiness' I felt compelled to look it up on the internet, just to see what 'genre' it was supposed to be. Officially, it's billed as an 'adventure/drama/comedy.' I can sort of see where it's coming from – it kind of tries to be all three, only it doesn't ever stay on one for long enough to pull it off.

Simon Pegg plays the titular 'Hector' – a London psychiatrist who decides that he's bored with his life and sets off on a journey around the world in search for the meaning of what makes people happy. Nothing really wrong with that, only the way it's done. First of all, as soon as Hector sets off on his journey, he takes on the characteristics of 'Mr Bean.' From being a very intelligent man, he becomes a complete clutz. He knocks over everything around him, then, when he tries to pick anything up, knocks more things over. How did this happen? It's just annoying. Yes, I guess it appeals to those who like 'slapstick,' but it sort of comes out of nowhere and doesn't seem to fit the character's former traits.

As Hector goes around the world, the writers do make a few meaningful observations and these do come across. There is plenty in there that will make you think. And that's nice. Only, just when it starts to decide where it wants to go, it changes and becomes really dark (suddenly we're into hostage-taking territory) and that slapstick comedy seems like a lifetime ago.

Then, every now and again, the film will use funny little techniques like cartoons to illustrate Hector's mood, or even deliberately cheap and home made special effects. Again, these pop up here and there without any real need or explanation. And then they disappear again equally without notice.

All in all, Hector is a mixed bag. When it's good it's nice and thought-provoking and you'll find it quite uplifting. However, they it'll go off on a genre change tangent and you'll feel a little mixed up as to where it's suddenly going.

Excruciatingly painful viewing

[peterdodd · 1/10 · 8 October 2014]

I'm not sure which movie the other people on this review board have been watching, because when I went to see this (in Canada), even total strangers were compelled to connect afterwards about how painful it was, while leaving the cinema to meet their other friends who had walked out earlier..

I normally love Simon Pegg, love what you might call "existential" or "whimsical" stories such as Amelie, Walter Mitty, About Schmidt, anything along that broad spectrum between Love Actually and Ingmar Bergman.

But, THIS..

Paradoxically, one of the life-rules it thrusts down your gullet with all the subtlety of feeding a foie gras goose, is that you should be true to yourself, and genuine....exactly like this movie isn't.

It's told from a distinctly lazy, privileged, patronising and comfortable point of view, and even offensively stereotypical and superficial about non-western cultures:

In China it's all big dinners and sleazy old white dudes with high-class Asian hookers and migrant workers everywhere..

Africa is all about dangerous and primitive conditions with a few casual lines of dialogue thrown in about how foreign aid doesn't get to the people who need it.

Simon Pegg, after being pistol-whipped repeatedly in the face, defecating in a bucket and left to rot by kidnappers, then being dumped by the roadside and narrowly escaping death...is miraculously and instantly in the mood to party. Cue: Reams of colourfully dressed Africans, apparently with nothing better to do than to than dance around as if straight out of a Kenyan tourist board commercial, make everything OK again in, like, two minutes flat. Any human would be traumatised and need recovery in hospital after that ordeal but there is no time to be authentic in this movie, we've got synthetic emotions to ooze and platitudes to preach. "The audience won't notice.."

Oh, and then there is a revelation of an interracial gay couple, which is meant to be poignant and meaningful, except we really don't know these guys and therefore don't care whatsoever. It's as if the filmmakers assume that the audience are brain dead peasants who have been locked in a room their whole lives: "Gay interracial couples exist folks, it's true" Wow...really?

Sometimes a bad movie is just a bad movie for whatever reasons and that is a shame, but what really got me so incensed with this was the flippant way it dealt with huge important concepts such as: Happiness, relationships, race, sexuality, culture etc.etc.

It's like a casual holiday travelogue with a thin veneer of paint on top, promising: "If you, as a human, sometimes think about your place in the universe and what happiness is, then you will want to watch this and be rewarded by learning a thing or two."

To which I responded: "Great, here's my $15, can't wait!" But underneath the paint there is just...more paint. Maybe, just maybe, they could make fortune cookies with the messages in this movie, that might fit the maturity level of the wisdom it literally RAMS down your throat.

And don't get me started on the jolly Tibetan Monks...the Dalai Lama would cringe.

Uneven film with some good moments

[kempersandra98 · 6/10 · 17 September 2014]

Hector is a forty something psychiatrist with an enviable life. He has a beautiful apartment, a gorgeous girlfriend who does everything for him, and a thriving, although according to the voice-over, under charged practice. But he's not happy, which may have something to do with the decades old picture of an ex girlfriend that he hides in his sock drawer. So in order to find out what makes people happy he takes off on a around the world trip in search of the intangible.

Part travelogue, part comedy, and part pathos, the film never seems to come together despite a few good moments. Perhaps it is because it is trying to be too many things at once. Simon Pegg attempts to hold together a film that seems at best an exercise in navel gazing, but despite his ability to make us root for his everyman character the film just doesn't click. Not a complete disappointment but not something I would run out and see again.

Fresh and stale bits

[sergelamarche · 6/10 · 8 January 2018]

This film came out to me as forced and formulaic. The lessons accumulates a bit too well and quickly to work out except for a couple of them that still sounded real, expecially the bit with the ex-girlfriend. It's strange that a psychiatrist would not know better about happiness, with all the studies about it. This film is more of a mid-life crisis needing a resolve. It's a bit overacted with the actual girlfriend that acts like a little girl but Rosamund is so damn cute and fun. Passable with good bits and not so good bits.

Heartwarming and thought provoking

[antciv · 9/10 · 24 August 2014]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hector, the acting and production all top class, Mr Pegg showed his acting maturity and Rosamund Pike played her role perfectly, the final scenes were quite poignant and not what I was expecting at all. Toni Collette at the end of the film giving a strong performance and Hector and the audience something to think about, I have used a couple of the things he discovers on his journey in my life already. Some are a bit obvious but there is some good advice in there. If you are looking for an alternative to some predictable movie with an over muscled pretty boy blowing stuff up, this could be for you. Go see it.

For the seekers

[cinematic_aficionado · 6/10 · 18 August 2014]

A psychiatrist in need of...therapy.

Hector seems to have the perfect life. A good job, an amazing girlfriend, an orderly life. Yet, something seems to be missing. Though a successful psychiatrist, he struggles to advice his clients as to what makes one happy.

So, he decides to travel the world in order to find out what happiness is. His journey takes him to Asia, Africa and the States in a whirlwind of experiences not to mention new found knowledge and wisdom.

On the hole, it is a pleasant and cheerful experience. In a way, Hector speaks for many of us who wish we could just drop everything and get on a plane so that we can find ourselves. He searches for happiness, which is so complex and means different things to different people.

A worthwhile experience for the seekers out there.

This is a really really good movie.

[cameronkeys-996-768231 · 10/10 · 3 September 2014]

Caught a screening. Hard to put your finger on, it's not exactly a comedy or romance or drama but it's got all those elements in it yet they all balance perfectly. Really had me. Well, I laughed a lot, so maybe it is a comedy. Everybody's funny in it. Simon Pegg is the best I've ever seen him. Always loved him, never exactly thought of him as a dramatic actor but he sure lays it down here. Wonderful surprise, I hope he does more quality moves like this, he's too talented to waste. Most worthwhile film I've seen all year. Just incredibly satisfying. No spoilers here so I'll just say it's a really great. Going to take my friends when it comes around again. Funny, smart and a terrific ending. Why is that so hard to do these days?

For lack of a writing pen it might have saved his life.

[TxMike · 22 July 2015]

My wife and I found this on Netflix streaming movies and found it to be quite good, in fact a gem among all the mediocre movies being made.

Simon Pegg is Hector, a conservative, routine-driven Psychiatrist. He never answers any questions for his patients, he always asks another question. Which is usually fine but it is also a reflection of his life, never really committing to anything other than his routine.

His long-time live-in girlfriend is Rosamund Pike as Clara. It is clear that she would like to be married and hopefully have children but Hector is in a holding pattern. One day she is putting away his socks and comes across a photo in the bottom of the drawer. In it are three friends from college, one is an old lady friend. Does Hector secretly wonder if he should have ended up with her?

As Hector gets increasingly frustrated with himself, and finds himself snapping at patients, he realizes he has to take a trip to find himself, and he couches it as a trip "to find out what happiness really is." He goes alone. As he meets people, often asking them the question, he takes notes. Often drawing a humorous picture along with the notes.

He travels to China, meets a pretty girl, starts to make overtones to go see her family with her, he finds out she is a prostitute. He finds a remote monastery in the snowy mountains, they don't have the answer. He travels to Africa. He is caught up in a life-threatening situations with kidnappers. But lack of a writing pen saves his life.

He had encountered Jean Reno as notorious drug lord in the area, Diego Baresco. Diego's wife was suffering from depression and taking a number of medications. Hector suggested some modifications and ended up with Diego's personal embossed pen, because Hector always failed to find his own. When his captors later realized Diego was a "friend" of his they took out to a lonely road and let him go. It was a good, small role for Reno.

So did Hector ever find what happiness really is? He finally travels to California and looks up his old friends. As an old professor (Christopher Plummer) explains to a class, happiness isn't something you find after searching for it, happiness is in the search. Once Hector let himself be happy his world was all clear again.

A really nice movie, and Pegg is perfect in this role.

Not Mitty

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 2 November 2014]

But still more than a decent effort to find ones meaning of and in life. I saw someone calling it "Dudes version of Eat Pray Love". That's a funny way of putting it. And it's not that wrong. While it may appear like something more similar to Mr. Mitty (a really good movie about escaping real life in fact, but also finding oneself, through that way), it actually is more like the Julia Roberts movie (or book if you haven't seen the movie).

Simon Pegg is really good in this and he is surrounded by a stellar cast. Maybe watching this after "Gone Girl" will seem a bit weird, but that is up to the viewer to decide. I watched it before, so that didn't affect my experience. A decent story about life and appealing/inspiring to the viewer to maybe do something similar

If you love Simon Pegg don't watch this

[octaviolet · 2/10 · 23 June 2020]

It's a shame that such fine actors and beautiful scenery can't save this film. One soppy tired trope after another. I am unhappier having watched this.

Happiness is watching this movie.

[siderite · 9/10 · 20 May 2016]

Simon Pegg was a brilliant choice for this movie and the whole film is almost perfect as reflected in my rating. Based on a book, the script is pretty bloody good and, while I am usually not a fan of touchy-feely wisdom-on-a-cup kind of things, I really enjoyed the movie.

OK, sometimes it was a little bit too heavy handed and I believe that choosing an actor for the lead that didn't have Pegg's silly happy funny face could have doomed this film. As such, I wonder how have I not heard of this movie? Why is everyone talking about superheroes and no one about this film? Is it just because it is not an American film?

I thought that the script juggled very well with the viewers expectations. Then there are Jean Reno's role, Rosamund Pike's - especially after Gone Girl, I know that this movie comes first, but the result of watching it now is quite unexpected - and, of course, Christopher Plummer - may he live forever. Quite small, but perfect in their value to the story.

Bottom line: watch the film. It can't hurt and it can really help. Give it a try. It's not a new age hum and meditate thing, it's ... real? It feels so.

Mature and meaningful

[osj2507 · 7/10 · 22 January 2016]

This is something new from Simon Pegg, don't get me wrong I loved his Cornetto trilogy and all the other weird films he is in, I also like him in Star Trek, actually I like more or less everything I have seen him in :)

Hector is a normal, maybe a bit reluctant and strange in some ways, he and his girlfriend have their routines and it works for them, but at some point, something convinces Hector to do something else and that's where this story really starts.

I don't think you can say this is groundbreaking, but it is fun and meaningful to see what he figures out, who he visits and how he is handling it all, it does give some food for thought about yourself and when you are happy and what makes the people around you happy etc.

full of stereotypes

[vubler · 3/10 · 8 April 2015]

Some movies are good, some bad, some unimportant. This movie is fretful.It tries to copy "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", but it is a stupid copy.

What is the meaning of life? what makes you happy? If you want to know this, make a journey to developing countries. Afrika, China, Tibet.

And surprise surprise: After that you realize, that all the people there are more happy than the people in industrialized countries.

Job, career, money, a new clean house, an organized life. ...it does not make happy. And happiness is homemade food, cooking, dirty houses, easy living, chaos, many kids and a big family. Quit your job, stay poor and you have no problems.

A movie full of backpacker romanticism.

If you are a traveler and you have seen some countries in Asia, south America or Africa, you know, this is bullshit! It is not so easy as in this movie, which is full of racist stereotypes. The Chinese prostitute, dancing and singing Africans, Buddhist monks full of wisdom.

A story made on the drawing board without soul and love like a mass-produced article.

Really like it, causes I love Simon Pegg

[bbickley13-921-58664 · 7/10 · 24 October 2014]

Movie reminds me of Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but this movie was a bit more well played.

Pegg plays Hector, a boring man who becomes unwind and goes on a journey to China Africa and America in an attempt to find happiness. Being that he's a psychiatrist, I'm sure there is a bunch of Freudian stuff I did not catch in this Simon Pegg vehicle, so I'll just have to judge on how funny he was.

Simon was very funny in this one. He was also a little more dramatic than you would have suspected in a Simon Pegg film. The movie hits a dark patch while Hector searches for happiness, but what was good (for the viewers, anyway) was that Simon was still Simon every step of the way.

Good humored movie worth seeing.

It's all about the journey, not the destination - and the journey is quite enjoyable

[brchthethird · 7/10 · 9 April 2015]

HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS is an interesting little film that went under my radar last year and while it's not the greatest thing I've ever seen, it is a suitable vehicle for Simon Pegg that has a fair share of heart and laughs. Hector (Simon Pegg) is a psychiatrist who is going through the motions in life, so one day he decides to go on a trip to try and discover the secret(s) to happiness. While this concept is easily dismissible since happiness isn't some magic formula, the journey he goes on is at least enlightening to him and takes us on a whirlwind of emotion. My favorite part of the film is (quite obviously) Simon Pegg. He's just a really likable guy with a quirky sense of humor who brings his trademark wit to everything he does. Rosamund Pike also does quite well, even though she's relegated to appearing via Skype calls for the entire middle section of the film. There are also cameos by three different actors whose characters each provided a different approach to happiness. If you want know who they are, don't look at the cast list on IMDb and just watch the movie. I also thought that the film balanced drama and comedy quite well. What doesn't quite work is the convoluted nature of the plot and the contrived situations which Hector gets himself into. I'm all for a movie manipulating my emotions, but it has to do it cleverly. To its detriment, I don't feel like this film was that clever, bordering on cliché far too often. Ultimately, the conclusions the film draws are a combination of common sense and something you might find in a fortune cookie, i.e., nothing terribly profound. But, of course, not everything has to be profound. For what it's worth, I found HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS to be a pleasant, if unchallenging, viewing experience that provided enough laughs and emotional moments to satisfy. If you're a Simon Pegg fan, then definitely check it out. For everyone else, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.