Watch Happy

Happy is a documentary from 2012 that explores the nature of happiness and the factors that contribute to it. The film features interviews with a range of experts on the subject, including psychologists, neuroscientists, and spiritual leaders, as well as ordinary people around the world who have found ways to cultivate happiness in their lives.

At the heart of the film is the idea that happiness is not just a fleeting emotion or a lucky happenstance, but a skill that can be developed and nurtured over time. The experts in the film argue that happiness is not solely determined by external circumstances, like wealth or power, but is also shaped by internal factors like mindset, perspective, and social connection.

To illustrate this point, the film takes us on a journey around the world, visiting places where people have managed to find happiness despite challenging circumstances. We meet a community of Brazilian dancers who use their love of movement and music to uplift themselves and others; a Himalayan village where monks have achieved a remarkable level of contentment through meditation and mindfulness practices; and a Danish town where a culture of social trust and cooperation has created a strong sense of community wellbeing.

Throughout the film, we hear from a diverse range of voices reflecting on the nature of happiness and their own experiences with it. These include Marci Shimoff, a bestselling author and motivational speaker who shares insights from her research into the science of happiness; Ed Diener, a pioneering psychologist who has spent decades studying the subject; and Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist who has explored the ways in which meditation and other contemplative practices can impact brain function and wellbeing.

Perhaps most movingly, the film features interviews with people who have overcome significant adversity to find happiness in their lives. These include a woman who survived the Rwandan genocide and has since dedicated her life to helping other survivors heal, and a man who lost both his legs in an accident but has refused to let it define him.

One of the most striking things about the film is the breadth of perspectives it presents on the subject of happiness. While some of the experts focus on the scientific, physiological aspects of the experience, others emphasize the spiritual or social dimensions. Yet all of them seem to agree that happiness is something that can be cultivated and strengthened through intentional effort and practice.

Throughout the film, we see examples of this in action, as people across the world find ways to incorporate practices such as gratitude, kindness, and connection into their daily lives. From a group of American seniors who use dance as a way to stay connected and active, to a Japanese man who has made a career out of offering free hugs to strangers, the film offers a range of inspiring examples of how happiness can be accessed and shared.

Overall, Happy is a thoughtful and thought-provoking exploration of one of the most universal and yet mysterious aspects of the human experience. Through its mix of expert insights and personal stories, the film leaves us with a sense of possibility and hope, suggesting that happiness is not some unattainable mystery, but a skill that we all have the potential to develop and embody.

Happy is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.