H is for Happiness

H is For Happiness has a lot of tonal shifts; some of which work, some don't. There is trauma and dysfunction at the base of this film, but there is a sunny disposition that might work for some kids, but the darker elements certainly won't, and likewise the adults will struggle with some of the twee and tweenie elements but appreciate the more substantial themes here of healing, redemptive love and tolerance.

Emma Booth and Richard Roxburgh make for an odd couple - both excellent actors in their own right, but the age difference immediately struck me as a problem. Joel Jackson as the brother to Roxburgh is also bizarre as there is at least 20 + years age difference between them. Nevertheless, the young child actor Daisy Axon is wonderful and truly shines in the leading role. Also impressive here is the quirky Bi National Miriam Margolyes as the very haughty and optically challenged school teacher. She is a lot of fun and quite poignant.

I am not sure that the various themes and tones of the competing narrative threads sit all that well together here, but at the end of the day, there's lots to enjoy here. Exactly who the audience is though is a conundrum as it often is for the Aussie film industry when a story as interesting as this one comes along.

This movie CHANGED MY LIFE. wow. the twists and turns were so unexpectedly amazing and smart. candace played an important roll of a moody but amazing girl changing through her life in middle school. and don't even get me started on DOUGLAS BENSON FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION. 100% my absolute FAVOURITE character. i was sitting in the movie cinema with no thought of what was to come from this movie. but every little detail brightened up my day. not ever did i think i would get out of bed to see "H is for happiness." i think the plot was amazing. although some parts were a tad weird it really did brighten up the movie for me. thank you so much for creating this tremendously beautiful movie it changed me in so many ways for what's to come in the future.

A wonderful kid's movie that parents should enjoy too. The two main child actors were perfect. A great story with laughter and sadness, but mainly laughter.

I seldom enjoy Australian films. This one was quite decent. It's certainly not a 9/10 or 10/10 like the other reviews suggest, but I also didn't regret watching it.

This delightful quirky comedy can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Daisy Axon plays Candice Phee, a cheery, red-headed, dictionary-reading, bicycle-riding swot, who wants to restore the happiness of her mum (Emma Booth), who can't get over the cot-death of Candice's baby brother, and dad (Richard Roxburgh), who is still angry over business bust-up with his brother, 'Rich Uncle Brian' (Joel Jackson). Full of other interesting side characters (her friend, 'Douglas Benson from another dimension' (Wesley Patten), her eccentric teacher with one rolling eye (Miriam Margolyes of course) and Douglas' full-on mum (Deborah Mailman)) and animals; well-written and acted; and set in a beautiful sun-drenched coastal town, this film will delight the open-hearted. It also made me want to travel to Albany to see if it is really is so lovely.