A comment on “H is for Happiness”
There would not be a better way to kick off this year’s Generation than with a film called “H is for Happiness” – I think while I’m waiting in front of the movie theatre, expecting an easy and cheerfull comedy. But after the last scene of the film has passed, I’m just surprised and touched by a deep film with quite an important message.
"H is for Happiness" tells the story of twelve-year-old Candice Chee (Daisy Axon), who lives with mother and father in a small town in Western Australia. You’re realizing soon that the background of Candice, who’s clever, always happy and alert, isn’t that colorful and bright as the first minutes of the film. Since her little sister died of an illness Candice’s mother has been suffering from depression; her father – who had a financial dispute with his brother, called “Rich Uncle Brian” by Candice, spends most of the day isolated from his family in his garage working on new computer programs, and Candice is bullied by her classmates because of her know-it-all, overzealous attitude. But when a new classmate is coming, called Douglas Benson (Wesley Patten) - who claims to be from another galaxy - and a friendship developes between him and Candince, she finally decides bringing back the love in her family and tries everything possible for it, with the help of Douglas.
With a lot of humour, "H is for Happiness" actually shows us a very sad and serious topic: a girl - neglected by her parents - who simply wishes for a happy family life. Day after day, Candice is making new plans with a lot of imagination to bring her father and Rich Uncle Brian back together or to see her mother smiling, but all efforts seem to be going backwards and making the situation even worse. It's a completely twisted family picture - parents who are only focusing on themselves because of their own problems and a young teenager left behind who tries to bring some love, happiness and tenderness into the family.
The antithesis to the family situation becomes the friendship with Douglas, who is also atmospherically reflected in the film. Bright, strong colors in clothes and nature and cheerful music are underlining the scenes in which Candice and Douglas go on adventures, in contrast there's the pale shades of colors in the family house. While there's something magic about the time with Douglas, at home all dreams and hopes are dragged out of her and the sad reality comes to the top again. Because of this strong contrast the audience is torn between laughing and crying, joy and pity, and appreciation for Candice and indignation about the adults.
Main reason for “H is for Happiness” is so authentic whole time is the great acting performances of the two young talents. Daisy and Wesley manage to bring their inner world of emotions to the screen so impressively that the audience gets the feeling of going through the story with them and empathizes with all their choices and feelings. "H is for Happiness" manages to make the audience think about the meaning of family, friendship, trust and love without leaving the frame of a comedy. The smooth way director John Sheedy puts these serious topics into scene is impressive. It makes me realize how important it is to have a well working family that supports and loves each other and how lucky one can be to have one. A huge recommendation for “H is for Happiness” - both for young and older audience.
There would not be a better way to kick off this year’s Generation than with a film called “H is for Happiness” – I think while I’m waiting in front of the movie theatre, expecting an easy and cheerfull comedy. But after the last scene of the film has passed, I’m just surprised and touched by a deep film with quite an important message.
"H is for Happiness" tells the story of twelve-year-old Candice Chee (Daisy Axon), who lives with mother and father in a small town in Western Australia. You’re realizing soon that the background of Candice, who’s clever, always happy and alert, isn’t that colorful and bright as the first minutes of the film. Since her little sister died of an illness Candice’s mother has been suffering from depression; her father – who had a financial dispute with his brother, called “Rich Uncle Brian” by Candice, spends most of the day isolated from his family in his garage working on new computer programs, and Candice is bullied by her classmates because of her know-it-all, overzealous attitude. But when a new classmate is coming, called Douglas Benson (Wesley Patten) - who claims to be from another galaxy - and a friendship developes between him and Candince, she finally decides bringing back the love in her family and tries everything possible for it, with the help of Douglas.
With a lot of humour, "H is for Happiness" actually shows us a very sad and serious topic: a girl - neglected by her parents - who simply wishes for a happy family life. Day after day, Candice is making new plans with a lot of imagination to bring her father and Rich Uncle Brian back together or to see her mother smiling, but all efforts seem to be going backwards and making the situation even worse. It's a completely twisted family picture - parents who are only focusing on themselves because of their own problems and a young teenager left behind who tries to bring some love, happiness and tenderness into the family.
The antithesis to the family situation becomes the friendship with Douglas, who is also atmospherically reflected in the film. Bright, strong colors in clothes and nature and cheerful music are underlining the scenes in which Candice and Douglas go on adventures, in contrast there's the pale shades of colors in the family house. While there's something magic about the time with Douglas, at home all dreams and hopes are dragged out of her and the sad reality comes to the top again. Because of this strong contrast the audience is torn between laughing and crying, joy and pity, and appreciation for Candice and indignation about the adults.
Main reason for “H is for Happiness” is so authentic whole time is the great acting performances of the two young talents. Daisy and Wesley manage to bring their inner world of emotions to the screen so impressively that the audience gets the feeling of going through the story with them and empathizes with all their choices and feelings. "H is for Happiness" manages to make the audience think about the meaning of family, friendship, trust and love without leaving the frame of a comedy. The smooth way director John Sheedy puts these serious topics into scene is impressive. It makes me realize how important it is to have a well working family that supports and loves each other and how lucky one can be to have one. A huge recommendation for “H is for Happiness” - both for young and older audience.
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