Watch Happy's
- 2021
- 1 hr 30 min
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5.1 (774)
Happy's is a drama movie from 2021, directed by Rodrigo Garcia and written by Samuel D. Hunter. The movie stars Luis Albert Acevedo Jr., MaKayla Beineke, and Lori Betz in the leading roles. The movie portrays the journey of a young man named Hector (Luis Albert Acevedo Jr.), who struggles to keep his family's run-down, small-town roller rink, Happy's, from closing down. To save the rink, Hector enlists the help of his sister, Amanda (MaKayla Beineke), and local misfit, Darius (Willem Miller), to revive the rink and turn it into a thriving business again.
The plot of the movie plays out against the backdrop of Hector's personal life. Hector is a dedicated, hard-working young man who had to abandon his dreams of becoming a professional hockey player to take care of his family. He has to balance the pressures of running Happy's with his own personal demons, including his unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Samantha (Lori Betz).
With the hope of saving Happy's and giving his family the life they deserve, Hector throws himself into rebuilding the rink. He faces several challenges along the way, including rival rinks, a looming foreclosure, and the judgment of the community.
As the story progresses, Hector, Amanda, and Darius slowly transform Happy's into a vibrant, inclusive community hub. The rink becomes a place where people come together and share their stories, find common ground, and form lasting connections.
Throughout the movie, the theme of family ties is a consistent presence. Hector's relationship with his sister, Amanda, is a central focus, as they support each other through their personal struggles and the challenge of saving Happy's. Amanda, in particular, comes across as a strong and independent young woman, who does not shy away from taking on responsibilities to help her family. Darius, too, is shown to have his own complicated family dynamics, and the film explores the impact of these on his life.
The movie also explores themes of romantic love, self-love, and acceptance. Hector's unresolved feelings for Samantha are a recurring motif, and the film portrays the complexities of their relationship with nuance and sensitivity. The characters' individual struggles with self-love and acceptance are particularly poignant, and their journeys towards self-acceptance are treated with respect.
The acting in Happy's is a standout aspect of the movie. Luis Albert Acevedo Jr. delivers a powerful performance as Hector, infusing his character with a quiet intensity and vulnerability. MaKayla Beineke is equally impressive as Amanda, bringing a nuanced depth to her portrayal of the headstrong and compassionate young woman. Lori Betz delivers a nuanced performance as Samantha, balancing her character's conflicting emotions with subtlety.
The movie's soundtrack also deserves a special mention. The soundtrack is a mix of old and new, with classic songs such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I Will Survive" blending effortlessly with original songs written for the movie.
In conclusion, Happy's is a heartwarming movie that explores universal themes of family, love, acceptance, and resilience with sensitivity and depth. The movie's excellent acting, soundtrack, and directing make it a must-watch for anyone looking for a feel-good movie that will leave them with a lasting sense of hope and joy.
Happy's is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.