Finding Happiness

It is a highly inspirational and heart touching movie with a very genuine message to humanity that simple living and high thinking is the REAL way of life! Juliet's (actor) journey is like anybody else's journey towards a discovery that living in harmony and peace IS possible in today's world.

This is a very solid and practical example for the wold with an environment filled with all kinds of discord and conflicts. The concept presented in this movie ought to spread like a wildfire as had been predicted by a great saint and master.

Highly recommended to watch this movie. Enjoy!

(2014) Finding Happiness DOCUDRAMA

No plot to speak about, but more like a promotional historical infomercial tour or docudrama of the the yoga/ meditation of an actual communion who practice the art of "Ananda" . Actress Elizabeth Rohm plays the fictitious reporter, Juliet Palmer, given an assignment to write a report on the pact, as she is visiting one in California from New York City. Although, the character journalist asked all types of questions, it still feels like it was not enough. I was fascinated since Elizabeth Rohm is an actress herself who may have practice yoga herself which may mean this is what she herself does in her spare time.

The film tries to come across as a documentary, but much of it feels obviously (and at times poorly) acted and scripted and has the fake plasticness of an infomercial. Because of this approach in creating the film, it does not feel like a genuine representation but rather a one sided narrative trying to sell you on something by only telling you or showing you the best qualities, while hardly, if at all, bringing up or addressing other angles. The film does have some lovely sentiments which in another film style would feel more inspiring, but unfortunately too often it has the sense of infomercial quality appeal leaving the potential inspiration flat and wondering if you subscribe now, perhaps you might get a free yoga mat!

I thought this was a wonderful film. I thought the docu-drama format worked out well. It made it more interesting to me, I think, than just watching a documentary. The actor who played the journalist, was very good also. The people of Ananda seem so kind and genuine. Almost sounds too good to be true. And I love how the children are brought up to meditate. I wish I was. I learned a lot while watching this film. I learned about this amazing community that I never even knew existed. Finding Happiness made me reflect on how I live my life and makes me want to live it even better, with more happiness and more kindness towards others. I think everyone should watch this film. It is very inspirational.

Up in Northern California there is the Ananda Community. It is community that practices sustainability and kindness and looks at these attributes as being the key to prolonged happiness. This of course runs counter to our western capitalistic ideals that teach that material things and success equate happiness. The film follows a fictionalized reporter who travels to Ananda community at the behest of her editor. At first she is dismissive, but as she learns more about their practices she becomes open to their way of life (even trying yoga for the first time!) The end result is a changed perspective that we can leave a more benevolent and synergistic lifestyle. The movie's message left me feeling inspired!