Hector and the Search for Happiness

Name: Hector and the Search for Happiness
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Released: September 19, 2014
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 29
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Simon Pegg

2014

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 156 Ratings

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8.5

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Hector And The Search For Happiness

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Movie Details & Credits

Relativity Media | Release Date: September 19, 2014 | R

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Simon Pegg

Summary: A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

Director: Peter Chelsom

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

Bill Zwecker

Sep 27, 2014

This film is a winner. It will not only entertain you, but also make you think about what it takes to bring happiness into your own life. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Oct 2, 2014

An awkward blend of fable, travelogue and relationship drama, it's the story's hybrid style, vapid message and predictable arc that disappoint. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Sep 21, 2014

There’s more existential wisdom in five random, zombie-infested minutes of Shaun Of The Dead than in the full two hours of this feel-good folly. Read full review

Peter Keough

Sep 25, 2014

Though not everyone agrees, Ben Stiller’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” came close to finding the secret for making a movie about the secret of happiness. Peter Chelsom’s Hector and the Search for Happiness tries hard, but fails. Miserably. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Sep 19, 2014

The film aims for twee, but lands on torturous. It’s narcissism blown up to a global scale, in the guise of a quirky voyage of self-discovery. Read full review

Steve Macfarlane

Sep 19, 2014

It culminates in a weepy climax that verifies its status as a proud hunk of propaganda from America's massive self-help industry. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Sep 17, 2014

Even with appearances by such dependable performers as Toni Collette, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Plummer and Jean Reno, the interminable Hector and the Search for Happiness will most likely inspire audiences to search for the exit door. Read full review

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User Reviews

Filmaholic

Sep 24, 2014

Please don't go by what the "critics" have to say here. This is a VERY different from role for Pegg, so for people that have this preconceived notion that this is a typical Pegg movie, you are going to be greatly disappointed. This movie is a "journey" into searching within ourselves. IPlease don't go by what the "critics" have to say here. This is a VERY different from role for Pegg, so for people that have this preconceived notion that this is a typical Pegg movie, you are going to be greatly disappointed. This movie is a "journey" into searching within ourselves. I am sure that everyone well relate to different parts of the this movie.… Expand

8 of 9 users found this helpful81

SinuousGrace

Nov 7, 2020

Watched this last night -- in November 2020. My wife just found it on Hulu and it had Simon Pegg so she figured "what the heck?" It was a refreshing film, beautifully filmed, thoughtful, and honestly touching. Came here to Metacritic, curious, and seeing the "29" aggregate from the criticsWatched this last night -- in November 2020. My wife just found it on Hulu and it had Simon Pegg so she figured "what the heck?" It was a refreshing film, beautifully filmed, thoughtful, and honestly touching. Came here to Metacritic, curious, and seeing the "29" aggregate from the critics is HILARIOUS. Come on! This is EASILY a 7. The idea that this should deserve a "red" score is laughable, but it seems that even back in 2014 critics' reviews and ratings were already becoming inversely related to how much we enjoy films (something that's only grown more prevalent in the years since this movie came out).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

pt213

Jan 21, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm sorry, but the critics don't know what they are talking about. If you watch this movie, and you don't experience some empathy with Hector or any of the many relate-able characters, you yourself need some therapy.

Spoilers follow: As the title states this film is the search for happiness.

The story follows a man who is content with his job which is analyzing how and why others are not so, and how to improve upon their lives without any knowledge himself. Upon his realization of said character flaw he seeks happiness for himself. As the story confronts the character with common notions of happiness and/or conflict, his reactions to said circumstances lead to his own determination of his definition of happiness by the end of the movie.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

SethEvandor

May 31, 2015

Good movie. I was expecting something slightly different and came away not really knowing what to think. It's different and the characters are ordinary people. Spice up your life?

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

AnalyticCritic

Sep 25, 2014

24 On Metacritic? Lower than Transformers 2 and 4? How. This movie is not bad. Not even close.. Yes it could have improved on a couple of things like lowering the runtime and having some messages that contradict one another. The acting is superb by Simon Pegg and every one else...24 On Metacritic? Lower than Transformers 2 and 4? How. This movie is not bad. Not even close.. Yes it could have improved on a couple of things like lowering the runtime and having some messages that contradict one another. The acting is superb by Simon Pegg and every one else... Soundtrack? Quite good. Overall for a full ticket price you should maybe see this, but for say matinee prices you should definitely watch this.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

Meth-dude

Mar 17, 2017

It had an original and interesting story, great acting, it was funny, charming, well made and entertaining. Hector and the Search for Happiness truly is a different and charming movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

charleski

Feb 11, 2015

It's been a long time since I saw such a pathetically trite movie. Even the list of big-name stars can't save this sorry excuse for pop psychology. Hector travels the world in a search for happiness ... if you didn't guess where he'd find it in the first 5 minutes then you're an alien.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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