The hustle and bustle of life take a toll. Especially if you’re Helen.
She’s working through a recent divorce from her ex-husband, Mike. She’s also navigating a rocky relationship with her younger brother, Duncan. And coping with childhood trauma. Helen needs a reset.
Resolving to pursue a life that makes her happy, Helen joins seven other adults (most of whom are younger than her) in an outdoor survival course. Led by an intense hiking instructor named Beckett, the team embarks on an approximately 80-mile expedition along the Appalachian Trail, from Connecticut to New York.
Her life burning behind her, Helen’s goal is to “rise up from the ashes like a freaking Phoenix” and earn the “best hiker” certificate at the end of the trip.
But there are some bumps along the trail: Although Helen had hoped to forget about her old life on the hike, Duncan’s friend Jake is a member of the team. Much to Helen’s annoyance, he continually references her relationship with Mike. What’s more, Helen’s other companions range from outdoor newbies like Hugh, to condescending “super-hikers” like Mason, to a quirky girl named Kaylee (who’s afraid of wood).
The team takes a while to grow accustomed to one another, but eventually, they find comradery. And Helen and Jake kindle some sparks that could ignite a different kind of relationship.
It seems Helen’s dreams of rising from the ashes of her past are ready to take flight.
As you might expect, this feel-good movie features various sweet-but-cheesy moments. During the hike, Windy (a 28-year-old outdoor enthusiast) encourages the team to name three good things that happened to them each day. She explains that this exercise has helped her to feel happy and appreciate life.
Likewise, during a daunting experience on the trail, group members remind one another to “think of their person” (the individual who inspires them to keep moving forward). Helen adopts these mindsets on the hike. In doing so, she finds the courage to mend family relationships and to process some childhood trauma she’s suffered.
Although their relationship has a rocky start, Helen’s fellow hikers eventually support each other, and the group develops a web of positive friendships. It’s endearing to watch a group of very different people find mutual respect and understanding for each other. In some scenes, the hikers even go to great lengths to assist their companions.
Additionally, the romantic element of the story is surprisingly positive. Many rom-coms rely heavily on sexual content, but Happiness for Beginners focuses primarily on Helen’s and Jake’s personalities. The two of them spend most of the movie talking to each other with a few mild expressions of physical affection.
One of the hikers, Sue, takes a “vow of silence” on the trip to develop a greater commitment to her spirituality. Mason and Windy say that they plan to discuss Buddhism. Beckett claims that one of their hiking destinations is either “haunted or holy,” and he prays to Mother Nature, thanking her for the “world full of miracles.”
Helen’s divorce with Mike is the catalyst for the story in Happiness for Beginners. We learn the couple had been separated for a while, and they officially divorced due to infidelity. But even after their official divorce, Mike continues to contact Helen, and she seems to be clinging to the relationship as well.
On the hike, Windy asks Helen if she has an “Outback crush.” When Helen doesn’t answer, Windy reveals she has a crush on another hiker. In another scene, Helen tells Hugh that someone has a crush on Jake to which he responds, “Who doesn’t.” We also learn that Gigi (Helen’s grandmother) has an on-again, off-again boyfriend.
Rumors circulate that Windy and Jake kissed. Later, Jake clarifies that they kissed during a game of Truth or Dare. We also see Windy kiss Jake on the cheek. When Helen greets Gigi, they share a platonic kiss.
While tending to a wound on her leg, a character touches Helen’s thigh which makes her feel uncomfortable. Helen spends a night sleeping in the same tent as a male hiker (although they’re in separate sleeping bags the whole time). Two characters share an intimate moment in which they kiss passionately.
Several characters tell stories about tragedies in their lives: Gigi tells Helen about her husband’s death; Helen reveals that she had a miscarriage during her marriage with Mike; and a character reveals her little brother drowned when they were both young. Another character jokingly references suicide. Meanwhile, Hugh sarcastically claims he’s homicidal when he hasn’t had coffee.
During the hike, several people get injured. Helen develops serious blisters, and we see blood when she skins her knee on a rock. In a tense moment, a character falls through a rotted log and hits his head. Amid intense pain, he suspects he’s broken a leg. Windy also tells a story about how her brother broke his leg on a hike.
While they secure their food for the night, the hiking group worries that rabid bears might eat them. Helen tells a story about how someone ran over her dog with a car.
Profanity includes six uses of the s-word, 18 misuses of God’s name, five uses of “a–,” three uses of “h—” and two uses of “d–n.” We also hear five uses of “freaking,” and “jerk and “sucks” show up, too. Other vulgarities include single uses each of “b–ch,” “d–k” and “jeez.”
Characters drink and reference alcohol. In a flashback to Helen’s wedding, a man falls while dancing and drinking. Before the hike, Helen complains that she shouldn’t have had two margaritas before embarking on the adventure. Helen and Jake reminisce about going to a college bar when they were younger. And, while they walk, the hiking group sings “99 Bottles of Beer.”
Helen listens to a song that mentions cigarettes.
Helen, we learn, had a troubled childhood. When she was young, her parents divorced, and her father left the family. Soon after, Helen’s mother abandoned her and Duncan, leaving them in the care of Gigi. Although time has passed, Helen still struggles with her abandonment issues, and she has a strained relationship with Duncan. She refers to him as her “idiot brother.” Even when Duncan attempts to encourage her, Helen often responds sarcastically.
In fact, several characters make sarcastic and condescending comments, and their rudeness is usually played for laughs. We hear some crude bathroom humor, too.
Based on Katherine Center’s novel of the same name, Happiness for Beginners offers an easy-to-watch story featuring fresh starts and romance. While there’s not much in terms of substantial or life-altering messages, this movie’s mostly upbeat themes paired with beautiful hiking scenery provide viewers with an hour and 45 minutes of feel-good escapism.
Unlike many romantic comedies that focus on sexual discovery, Helen’s journey initially focuses on her personal healing and growth. Although a man becomes a significant part of that journey as the story unfolds, the couple shares a simple kiss rather than a sexual escapade.
Spiritual content here is limited to some brief references to other religions as well as the idea of “Mother Nature.” That said, these moments are sparce. Additionally, conversations about death, childhood trauma, tense hiking situations and profanity make this TV-14 movie unsuitable for younger or sensitive viewers.
Nonetheless, the movie’s message offers a positive perspective on life. Helen discovers the importance of appreciating the little things and making the most of what she has. She learns how to overcome situations that scare her and even mends some broken relationships from her past.
Obviously, Happiness for Beginners misses the biblical truth that true satisfaction and joy come from a relationship with Christ. While this worldview shortcoming doesn’t discount the other positive messages, parents will want to note the profanity and tense situations before gathering the family for this outdoorsy rom-com.
