H Is for Happiness
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | John Sheedy (director), Lisa Hoppe (screenwriter) |
| Products | Film |
H is for Happiness is a 2019 Australian family drama directed by John Sheedy, with a screenplay penned by Lisa Hoppe. The film features performances by Daisy Axon, Wesley Patten, Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Joel Jackson, Deborah Mailman, Miriam Margolyes, and Alessandra Tognini.
Premise
The story follows a twelve-year-old girl brimming with positivity who becomes motivated by a new classmate to repair the fractures within her family.
Cast
- Daisy Axon as Candice Phee
- Wesley Patten as Douglas Benson
- Richard Roxburgh as Jim Phee
- Emma Booth as Claire Phee
- Miriam Margolyes as Miss Bamford
- Joel Jackson as Rich Uncle Brian
- Deborah Mailman as Penelope Benson
Production
Adapted from Barry Jonsberg’s Australian young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet, the script was developed by Lisa Hoppe. Principal photography occurred in Albany, Western Australia, spanning from 12 November to 21 December 2018.
Release
The movie debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2019, where it secured second place in the audience choice awards. It was also showcased at the Perth Festival. Distribution was managed by R & R Films on behalf of Universal Pictures.
Reception
According to the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, a significant portion of critics gave favorable evaluations, resulting in an average rating based on multiple reviews. The consensus highlights it as a heartwarming family film with vivid visuals and an uplifting message centered on its youthful lead’s experience.
Critic Alissa Simon from Variety commended the film for delivering enjoyable content without compromising artistic integrity or depth. David Stratton found it "quite engaging," noting its avoidance of clichés. Dov Kornits of Filmink described the movie as "exceptionally warm-hearted," celebrating inclusivity and diverse human experiences. Andrew F. Peirce from The Curb regarded it as notably inspiring.
In contrast, Paul Byrnes of the Sydney Morning Herald felt that director Sheedy struggled to capture the appropriate tone, making it challenging to adapt the book's unique language for the screen. Leigh Paatsch from the Herald Sun pointed out tonal inconsistencies and suggested that a more restrained approach could have enhanced the final product.
Box office
During its initial weekend release, the film achieved modest earnings, generating less than across 158 venues—a figure below its revenues from earlier preview screenings.