Movie Review Blog: "Happiness for Beginners" (2023)

 

Happiness for Beginners

Movie Title: 

"Happiness for Beginners"

Cast of Characters:

• Ellie Claire Kemper as Helen Carpenter (32). The lead character of the movie, Helen, is a teacher. Ellie is an American actress and comedian. 

• Luke Timothy Grimes as Jake (22), Jake is the best friend of Helen's younger brother, Duncan. Luke is an American actor and musician.

• Blythe Katherine Danner, as Gigi, the grandmother who raised Helen and Duncan. Blythe is an American actress and the mother of Gwyneth Paltrow.

• Alexander Koch as Duncan, Helen's younger brother.

• Ben Cook as Beckett, the hiking team leader.

• Nico Santos as Hugh, an aspiring actor turned Insurance salesman.  He is a Filipino-American actor.

• Esteban Benito as Mason, the Wall Street hiker.

The Story Plot: 

Helen Carpenter wants to hit the reset button on her life after the divorce. 

Her younger brother (Duncan) persuades Helen to join a beginner's survival course. 

Coincidentally, Jake, Duncan's best friend, is also included in the hiking team for the survivalist course of the Appalachian Trail. 

Through the events and experiences of the group, as they got to know one another, they realized each had their own reason for embarking on this journey of self-discovery. 

While Helen uncovers a secret and the true meaning of happiness. 

What was it? You have to watch this movie to find out. 

Movie Theme:

This movie is based on the 2015 book by Katherine Center, a romance novel and adventure fiction. Katherine Sherar Pannill Center is an American author of contemporary fiction. 

Happiness for Beginners was adapted for the screen and directed by Vicky Wright. 
It can also be considered a romantic comedy or rom-com. Helen and Jake are fictional characters.

Recommendations:

Happiness for Beginners is a light-hearted, "feel-good" ensemble movie with each of the characters having their own interesting story that coincides with the two main characters, Helen and Jake.

I recommend that you watch this movie if it's still streaming on Netflix.

Rating: ***** 5 Stars

Poem: " I do not love you" - from Neruda's XVII

The poem Jake gives to Helen in the movie.

Note: 

I researched and compiled some facts, then added my interpretation to this Movie Review Blog.