Watch How to be Happy
- TV-PG
- 2014
- 1 hr 20 min
-
5.9 (122)
How to be Happy is a 2013 Irish romantic comedy-drama directed by David Shannon, following the life of Cormac, a marriage counsellor, who attempts to fix the problems of his client's relationships while fighting to save his own. Brian Gleeson portrays the role of Cormac, a man; disillusioned with his own marriage, but determined to help others improve theirs. Gemma-Leah Devereux plays the role of the free-spirited, fiery-haired Flor, who hires Cormac to help her fix her relationship with her boyfriend, Dave (real name David, played by Stephen Mullan). Dave is a musician, consistently on tour, and the long distance is creating frustration and tension in their relationship.
Cormac is an expert in his field, approaching his job with a sense of detachment that keeps his own emotional pain at bay. By distilling the emotions of his clients into a set of simple, understandable rules, he helps them see their relationships clearly and identify the steps they need to take to fix them. However, this strength does not translate well to his own marriage, which is falling apart rapidly.
As he works with Flor, Cormac finds himself drawn to her energy and her spirit, something that he has not seen in his own life for some time. She challenges him to step out of his comfort zone and embrace the unexpected pleasure of her company. But there is much more in Cormac's life that he needs to fix before he can truly be happy. His current issues with his father and his own personal struggles with his marriage all vie for his attention, distracting him from the woman who might just be the one to help him find happiness.
The film has a touching storyline, blending the elements of the romantic comedy and the drama. The main characters are well-developed throughout the story, making it easy for the audience to connect with their struggles, emotions and hopes. Their conversations are deeply engaging, showing the viewer how the two characters evolve their relationship throughout the storyline.
The aesthetic of the movie is quite pleasing, cinematographer Jude Russell captures the essence of Dublin's street scenes and elegant buildings. The diverse color palette used in the interior scenes also add to the film's aesthetic appeal.
One of the movie's main themes is discovering true happiness. The director does a great job in highlighting that there is no universal path towards finding happiness. Cormac's journey is a testament to this, and it challenges the audience to redefine how happiness can be achieved.
The movie is an enjoyable watch that highlights the beauty of ordinary moments, the importance of being genuine with one's emotions, and the reality that happiness is not always found where one thinks it might be.
Overall, How to be Happy is a heartwarming and delightful film that portrays love, loss, and human connection in a beautifully crafted storyline that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
How to be Happy is a 2014 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.