Can you believe we're less about two months away from Fall movie season? By mid-September studios and indies start to slowly roll out their more prestige releases some of which may or may not be awards season fodder. One film arriving in September that might not be on your radar yet is Peter Chelsom's “Hector and the Search for Happiness.”
Based on the novel by “Le voyage d'Hector ou la recherche du bonheur” by François Lelord, “Hector” is essentially the tale of a London psychiatrist (Simon Pegg) who doesn't understand why his patients can't cheer up. In a funk himself, Hector decides to span the world in search of joy. The film features an intriguing ensemble cast including Rosamund Pike as his patient girlfriend waiting back home (you'll also see her in “Gone Girl” in October), Toni Collette as that old flame he can't get over (thankfully she appears to have more to do here than in “Tammy”), Christopher Plummer as a scholar who studies happiness as well as Stellan Skarsgard and Jean Reno.
The film is notable as its Chelsom's first screenplay credit since the cult 1995 comedy “Funny Bones.” The British helmer is best known for the hit romantic comedies “Serendipity” and “Shall We Dance?”
Strangely, “Hector” is opening first in the UK in August, but that doesn't mean a North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival is out of the question (or does it?). And, considering it has Canadian financing we wouldn't be surprised to see it there (maybe). In the meantime, U.S. distributor Relativity Media has provided us with the latest poster for the film for your viewing pleasure. Will it make you smile?
“Hector and the Search for Happiness” opens in New York and Los Angeles on Sept. 19. It expands to limited release on Sept. 26 and is currently scheduled to rollout nationwide on Oct. 3.