Hector and the Search for Happiness

UK Release Date:15th August 2014

A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness (www.imdb.com).

Director: Peter Chelsom (Shall We Dance, Serendipity)

Cast: Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Toni Collette, Stellan Skarsgard, Jean Reno, Christopher Plummer

Instant comparisons are drawn with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty when watching Hector and the Search for Happiness. Both Hector and Walter seek a life better than their own. Hector, just like Walter, jets off on an adventure to find himself, by finding the meaning to happiness. He travels the world to find its true meaning, leaving his girlfriend (Rosamund Pike) behind. Pegg's character's a hit and miss man, at his worst at the beginning of his travels, almost cheating on his other half on the first night, at his best when abducted and left for dead in Africa. Some of Pegg's best acting in his entire career comes from this one, heartfelt scene. His journey opens up many possible ways to make one happy. HatSfH is a fun, feel good film that does little to disturb the ethos of the world, other than contemplate whether his journey is a real representation of worldly travels.

3/5