SummaryHelen (Ellie Kemper) has always lived her life as far from the edge as possible. Newly divorced, she joins a quirky group of strangers on a survival course for the “adventure of a lifetime” with the hope of learning how to live — and love — again. [Netflix]
Directed By:Vicky Wight
Written By:Vicky Wight, Katherine Center
Happiness for Beginners
Metascore
Mixed or Average
48
User score
Mixed or Average
4.2
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
48
18% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
64% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
18% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Jul 27, 2023
75
Kemper is good throughout. Her radiant likability gives her the power to sell weak material, which means she will often be offered weak material. But there’s enough in Happiness for Beginners to make me glad that she did it.
Jul 27, 2023
60
With an amusing ensemble cast, a sturdy script, lovely filmmaking, and the power of its leads' chemistry, Happiness For Beginners is a modest delight.
User score
Mixed or Average
4.2
8% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
50% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
42% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Jul 29, 2023
6
Com um clima completamente despretensioso, é uma delícia acompanhar uma mulher ressentida pelo recente término se enveredar numa caminhada com jovens inexperientes escoteiros, no intuito de voltar a encontrar o amor próprio. Assim, embora a premissa seja tão banal, o clima leve e descontraído somada às locações da natureza (que poderia ser melhor aproveitada) faz da sessão uma gostosa experiência.
É claro que o ar de autoajuda pode enfraquecer um pouco a experiência, bem como a disposição dos corpos numa trilha que em nenhum momento passa a real sensação de perigo.
É um grupo basicamente feito por características tão marcantes quanto superficiais, e mesmo que a protagonista já seja uma mulher formada e adulta, seus dilemas somam-se a uma imaturidade juvenil. Talvez se escalassem um casal mais jovem, funcionasse com mais eficiência. O fato é que tem de tudo, da jovem mística ao gay afeminado, mas tudo de uma forma até orgânica para o projeto, embora uma ou outra situação seja forçada, a história é simpática demais para se deixar aborecer. E simples.
Claro que o desfecho romântico é percebido logo no início, então não dá para esperar do roteiro (muito fraco) algo genuinamente marcante. Contudo, em certos momentos há beleza e reflexão, por mais rasteiros que sejam, e o filme mesmo sabe das suas limitações e entrega um ambiente good vibes que é muito bem vindo.
Sem esperar nada em troca, o filme consegue corresponder às expectativas e é possível terminar a sessão com um terno sorriso no rosto.
Jul 30, 2023
50
This movie’s heart is in the right place, and its company is pleasant enough. But by its final half-hour, it starts to feel too much like a rote recitation from a rom-com to-do list.
Jul 27, 2023
50
Well-behaved to a fault, Happiness for Beginners is sweet but a little tentative.
Jul 27, 2023
40
The woman at its center remains opaque, her romance is listless and her journey to self-discovery becomes an endurance test.
Jul 27, 2023
40
Throughout it all, Kemper visibly strains to temper her comedic impulses. Sometimes she delivers her lines with a quickness that feels refreshingly out of place, but it’s mostly call-and-response songs along the trails and heart to hearts under the stars.
Jul 27, 2023
25
There are some pretty shots of nature and a few stabs at humor, but don’t be mistaken—this movie is background noise at best.
Aug 11, 2023
3
bad
[ bad ] adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.
Aug 5, 2023
3
I haven't watched a Hallmark movie in years, but this feels like an escapee from their catalog. Ellie Kemper (best known as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is struggling to find herself after a divorce. Luke Grimes (the son on Yellowstone) has been carrying a torch for her for years. They end up on wilderness hike thru the mountains of Connecticut, where they bicker in the obvious ways before they finally kiss. There is absolutely nothing about this plot or the circumstances that's original. Kemper continues with her sweet smile and infectious charm, while Grimes plays it sullen. Their chemistry is OK. There are some supporting characters that add bits of fun, including Nico Santos as the gay camper (literally), Ben Cook as the bossy guide and Gus Birney as the ditzy chick. Despite their minor contributions, the rest of this film lacks any originality and the delayed romance isn't especially rewarding. The generic title doesn't help.
Jul 28, 2023
3
Unbearably predictable in the most excruciating manner.
I had to sacrifice 100 minutes of my time with characters that, had they been real people, I wouldn't even want to spend 5 minutes in their company.
Jul 30, 2023
1
Incredibly bad acting by Ellie Kemper and horribly embarrassing writing. Possibly the worst movie of the year.
Production Company:
- Cranetown Media
Release Date:Jul 21, 2023
Duration:1 h 43 m
Rating:TV-14
Awards
ReFrame
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
































