Hector (Simon Pegg) is a psychiatrist who no longer knows how to help his patients find happiness. He himself finds “happiness” as elusive and mysterious as ever.

What follows is a high-spirited and spontaneous adventure across the globe as Hector searches for what truly makes others “happy.” Simon Pegg is great as always and the film has its share of inspiring moments, but Hector is too sentimental for its own good.

Hector and the Search for Happiness has a lot of heart, but whatever heartfelt parts the film has are bogged down by predictable scenes and unearned schmaltz.

Hector and the Search for Happiness is rated R for language and brief sexuality.

© Matt Tory, 2014.