Helen signs up for a wilderness survival course, a year after getting divorced. She discovers through this experience that sometimes, you have to get really lost in order to find yourself.
Chuck says:
The last thing I wanted to do was to watch another romcom. Like so many genres, little in the way of innovation has been brought to this format in recent years and, in the spirit of full disclosure, I may be a bit more tired of them than the normal person as the Hallmark Channel is on far too often in my household.
That’s what I was thinking as I started watching Vicky Wight’s “Happiness for Beginners,” a rom com that has everything you’d expect from a film of this sort. There’s a damaged heroine trying to put her life back together. She’s oblivious to the fact that the love of her life has been standing right in front of her all along. Also, a bevy of eccentric supporting players are also on board to tell Ms. Brokenhearted to get over herself and move on and of course, there are more than a few misunderstandings to contend with. Then there’s the soul-searching takes place before…well, you know.
All those boxes are checked, yet there’s something more at play in this adaptation of Katherine Center’s novel, a charmer with enough heart and poignancy to get you to look past its predictable nature. Featuring deft performances and smart writing, the film transcends its conventions with characters who seem to be stereotypes yet reveal their humanity in the most unexpected ways.
Helen (Ellie Kemper) is our just divorced battered heroine and in an effort to, in her own words, “rise like a phoenix from the ashes,” she decides to take a guided group hike on the Appalachian Trail. Of course, each member of the colorful troop has their own reasons for setting out on the 80-mile trek. Hugh (Nico Santos) is a frustrated actor with daddy issues, Windy (Shayvawn Webster) is an eager young woman looking for love, Mason (Esteban Benito) is a commodities trader with a big ego, Kaylee (Gus Birney) is trying to get over her fear of wood and Sue (Julia Shiplett) is seeking a sense of focus. Then there’s Jake (Luke Grimes), the best friend of Helen’s brother who’s been in love with her for years and just happens to sign up for the same trip.
What separates “Beginners” from other genre entries are the characters, each of whom is much more than meets the eye. Just when you think you have them pegged, each reveals an intimate secret that humanizes them, making them not only sympathetic but relatable. Before making an unexpected exit, Hugh’s façade falls away so that he may deliver some sobering advice to Helen, while Mason reveals a bit of vulnerability beneath his macho façade at the most inopportune time. Windy proves to be far more resourceful than imagined and when Kaylee reveals her profession, the purpose of her flighty persona makes sense. None of these moments are played for pathos or are, upon reflection, inconsistent with their behavior.
The same holds true for Helen and Jake, as it’s revealed they are each contending with some emotional baggage they’re resistant to discuss. The chemistry between Kemper and Grimes is genuine and a scene in which they finally lay their cards on the table is played as if it were a straight drama. That approach is the secret to this movie’s success – these characters and their issues aren’t treated as standard character traits, but as genuine problems that inform their behavior. As a result, the film is much smarter than anticipated.
That’s not to say it lacks funny or lighthearted moments. Each member of the cast gets a chance to show their comedic chops and I would be remiss if I did not mention Ben Cook’s fine turn as Beckett, the trail guide who’s wound a bit too tight. Wight finds the perfect balance between the dark and light elements at play here, including Helen and Jake’s future, which is going to be far more than just sunshine and roses. I wish them the best and that’s the secret of this movie – I liked and could relate to each and every one of “Beginners” lost souls. Take it from me, I never have that response when being subjected to the fare on the Hallmark Channel.
3 1/2 Stars
Pam says:
If you know me, you will immediately understand why I connected with this film. It’s about nature and the healing and transformative power of Mother Nature. Yes, “Happiness for Beginners” is also a lighthearted rom-com that follows a stereotypical formula, but beneath the surface, there’s a lot of reality and truth in it.
Helen (Ellie Kemper) is a tightly wound and newly divorced woman who signs up for a backpacking trip for beginners. Lead by a young, spry, and experienced backpacker, Beckett (Ben Cook), the band of merry misfits comprised of Helen, Hugh (Nico Santos), Windy (Shayvawn Webster), Kaylee (Gus Birney), Sue (Julia Shiplett), Mason (Estaban Benito), and unexpectedly, Jake (Luke Grimes), Helen’s little brother’s best friend from childhood who has been madly in love with Helen since that time, set off on their trip. Yes, you know how the story arc looks already, but like life, it’s not about the end point, it’s about the journey and Helen has quite the trip through the forest and up the mountains.
Beckett, a bit obnoxious and overbearing but possessing all the knowledge to take a beginner group on this trek through the trees, has his own journey to take, but not before he reminds (and reminds) his students about all the dangers that lurk along the trail…most of them being human stupidity and not listening to him. Each of these characters aren’t who we think they are and each of them changes thanks to this trip, but of course it’s Helen that grows the most. She also makes the most mistakes, but with that, she learns about life, survival, and who she really is.
Kemper is always a joy to watch and together with Grimes, they shine. The chemistry is there and Grimes’ more understated performance balances Kemper’s energetic, quirky one. Nico Santas and Cook stand out to create memorable characters, and the setting is as much of a character as the people. Gorgeously shot in Connecticut, we feel that we are along for the hike as the canopy of trees protects the group and the soft pine needles beneath their feet cushion every step. This just might inspire you to give backpacking a shot.
“Happiness for Beginners” is a predictable and lighthearted romp with two main characters that capture your heart and that’s what makes this work. The supporting cast is fun if not a bit exaggerated, but together they exemplify how different people can truly bond when Mother Nature is allowed to intervene. And the bonus…if you want to learn the basics about backpacking, writers Vicky Wight and Katherine Center give you that as well. So if you get “trench foot” on your next backpacking trip, that’s on you!
3 Stars
