Hector and the Search for Happiness

Hector and the Search for Happiness follows Simon Pegg’s title character as he embarks on a quest to discover what makes people happy, with this trek, which takes him to far-off locales like Asia and Africa, eventually causing a strain on his relationship to Rosamund Pike’s Clara. There’s ultimately little doubt that Hector and the Search for Happiness fares best in its opening stretch, as director Peter Chelsom does a superb job of establishing the steady, ordered landscape occupied by the protagonist – with the watchable atmosphere heightened and perpetuated by Pegg’s tremendously (and typically) affable performance. It’s only as Hector departs on his journey that the film begins to lose its grip on the viewer; despite Chelsom’s best efforts, there’s simply nothing terribly interesting or compelling about the central character’s travels – with certain stretches here nothing short of interminable. (Hector’s tedious trip to Africa, for example, is rife with hackneyed twists and turns.) Chelsom’s penchant for wild tonal shifts doesn’t help matters, certainly, nor does an overlong running time that’s compounded by an almost endless third act. (It’s worth noting, too, that the emotional impact of certain late-in-the-game developments are dulled considerably by the padded-out atmosphere.) Hector and the Search for Happiness‘ good intentions are, in the end, unable to compensate for a story that runs out of steam virtually from the outset, with the movie’s underwhelming vibe especially disappointing given the strong performances and promising setup.

** out of ****