Hector and the Search for Happiness

R

Released Oct 3, 2014

1 hr. 54 min.

Comedy

Drama

Adventure

List

38%

88 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Disillusioned with the tedium of his existence, psychiatrist Hector (Simon Pegg) confesses to his girlfriend (Rosamund Pike) that he feels he is a fraud for dispensing recommendations to patients who never seem to improve or get any happier. He considers breaking out of his lackluster routine. Summoning up some courage, Hector gives his starved curiosity free rein and embarks on an international quest to find the right formula to bring him joy and vitality.

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Critics Consensus

Simon Pegg remains as charming as ever, but Hector and the Search for Happiness drowns his appeal in schmaltz.

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Jan V

It's so sweet it have me a cavity. Props to Peg for trying to make a feel good movie, but it's a bit too much. Next time, add some salt.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

Full Review

Foozhan A

This is the perfect movie to watch when you are in doubt

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

Carlos Augusto A

Surprising movie! The story gain weight after the middle of the movie and it ends pretty well. Soft and uplifting story. The acting could be better. 👌

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/23

Full Review

Tony R

I loved this movie. Not really one for 'feel-good" movies but this really held me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/23

Full Review

Garrett M

Maybe it's my age or everything that has changed in my life but Hector's search for happiness was just the film I needed to see. Some outrageous plot situations didn't spoil it. I cried in happiness. We're all looking for something and it may be there before our eyes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/23

Full Review

corkball

Going in to this, I could see a ton of reasons why I wasn't gonna like it. Bland rich people problems - why aren't I happy with all my money and prestige and hot girlfriend? Which is kinda the point of this movie - happiness is not about having those things necessarily. I almost stopped watching 20 minutes in as it was so dull, but it started to pick up at that point. I would say this film is not a coherent movie, nor is it strictly about Hector. It is a series of vignettes about situations in your life where you learn to appreciate life (like being in danger, or losing everything, etc). The short stories don't even hang together all that well, and Hector is just a bystander. But if you look at it as an instruction manual, it makes more sense.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Peter Chelsom

Director

Simon Pegg

Hector

Toni Collette

Agnes

Rosamund Pike

Clara

Stellan Skarsgård

Edward

Jean Reno

Diego

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Martin Tsai

Los Angeles Times

Hector may indeed learn that narcissism stands in the way of happiness, but he also walks away with his privileges intact and unchallenged.

Dec 23, 2014

Full Review

Jake Wilson

Sydney Morning Herald

Staggering out of Hector and The Search For Happiness, I had the impression of having witnessed an unequivocal fiasco, a film no human being would be likely to enjoy.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 24, 2014

Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Think of EAT, PRAY, LOVE which has a similar sort of journey and this is so much better than that.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 17, 2014

Full Review

Kip Mooney

Central Track

Want to be happy? Don't waste your time or money on this movie.

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feels like Michel Gondry Lite, but when it and Pegg let the whimsy go, it can be an affecting story.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Jamie Neish

CineVue

Doesn't seem to be in possession of any form of moral compass, and all traces of humanity have been sucked dry by a need to be whimsy for whimsy's sake.

Rated: 1/5

Aug 13, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Disillusioned with the tedium of his existence, psychiatrist Hector (Simon Pegg) confesses to his girlfriend (Rosamund Pike) that he feels he is a fraud for dispensing recommendations to patients who never seem to improve or get any happier. He considers breaking out of his lackluster routine. Summoning up some courage, Hector gives his starved curiosity free rein and embarks on an international quest to find the right formula to bring him joy and vitality.

Director: Peter Chelsom
Executive Producer: Kim Arnott, Marc Gabizon, Klemens Hallmann, Marc Hansell, Markus Aldenhoven
Screenwriter: Maria von Heland, Peter Chelsom, Tinker Lindsay
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Wild Bunch, Head Gear Films, Egoli Tossell Film, Erfttal Film, Construction Film, Screen Siren Pictures
Rating: R (Some Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M

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