Weather Vane readers remembering my love of romantic comedies (“Am I ashamed to say I’ve watched thousands of minutes-worth of Christmas-themed romantic comedies as they’ve been released to Netflix over the past few years? No, not really…”) will affirm my well-garnered authority when I say: “Happiness for Beginners” is worth the watch.
Based on Katherine Center’s 2015 book of the same name, Netflix’s “Happiness for Beginners” sticks fairly close to the original text and features performances from Luke Grimes and Ellie Kemper, whom you may recognize from “Yellowstone” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” respectively. (Or, if you’re like me, you may struggle to see Kemper as anyone other than Erin from “The Office,” but that certainly didn’t detract from her performance.)
Heartfelt, wholesome, and outdoorsy, the film tells the story of newly-divorced Helen Carpenter (Kemper) who, despite her inexperience with camping and hikes in general, signs up for an intensive adult camping trip. This trip will not include archery badges, she clarifies to her brother Duncan, whom she leaves in charge of looking after her home while she’s away. She also leaves him a laminated list of responsibilities, which can tell you more about her character than any single adjective, in my opinion.
On the first night of the camping trip, we meet the rest of the quirky ensemble. Beckett, the group’s direct and authoritative guide, Windy, an energetic nature enthusiast; Hugh, an aspiring actor; Mason, an avid and experienced hiker; Sue, a self-described millennial taking a vow of silence; Kaylee, who signed on to face her fear of wood; our protagonist; and Jake (Grimes), who happens to be Duncan’s longtime best friend. (Can you see where this could be headed?)
While I’m usually not a fan of movies that use text overlays to keep audiences up to speed, the movie incorporates enough peppy background music and unexpectedly blunt humor that I couldn’t help but be swept up in the exuberant buoyancy of the characters. Around every corner was an abrupt line that had me laughing out loud, like Hugh’s admission that his self-fulfillment attempts to become Meryl Streep have failed, as he actually sells insurance, or Beckett comfortingly pointing out that in the case of a rabid bear, its proximity to the food is no longer the issue because “you’re already dead and he’s not hungry anymore.”
This second moment also exemplifies the way the eclectic group of characters build off each other. After barely a second, Hugh chimes in, “and that’s why we call it the circle of life,” followed by Kaylee’s sobering “Mufasa.” Group dynamics can’t be discussed without mentioning Helen and Jake’s obvious chemistry, which, although it’s a little more accelerated than the book’s even-paced slow burn, will please any rom-com lover. What can I say? The banter, the sticky past they have to work through, the lingering looks, and fruitless denial of feelings–this movie’s got it all.
Even more memorable than the comic or romantic dynamic is just how heartwarming the movie is, exemplified in multitudes: the moment when the ladies in the crew share 3 things for which they’re grateful (a proven psychological practice that I’ve actually implemented in my life!), the moment previously ‘coasting’ characters stepped up to the plate in the face of adversity, the moments displaying insights into the self-discovery of the characters, and the characters themselves. Even when pastel text flashed up to display the hikers’ playful trail names, I didn’t mind.
Watching the crew hike through autumnal forests of crimson and flaxen leaves had me craving a good October hike. This movie is the perfect way to welcome in the colder weather, and will delight any fan of rom-coms and the outdoors who has access to Netflix. It is probably best enjoyed with an apple cider from Common Grounds.