Editor’s note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Happiness for Beginners follows Helen (Ellie Kemper), a woman who hasn’t ever really lived life to the fullest. After a lifetime of maintaining a vast distance away from the edge, the newly divorced schoolteacher sets out on a survival course hiking an Appalachian Trail with a quirky band of characters, hoping the adventure helps her learn how to live and love again. Her ideal plans are somewhat disrupted when her younger brother’s good friend, Jake (Luke Grimes), who obviously harbors feelings for Helen, also appears on the course.

Based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Center, Happiness for Beginners lives up to the charming reviews of the book. Many have touted it as a heartwarming page-turner, and a lot of the exuberance found in the novel is reflected in the film. As someone who has yet to read the story, I can only surmise that this adaptation is favorable, but not entirely faithful. As I was watching the movie, I wondered how the book flowed, how it disseminated exposition, and balanced it with the insightful musings hinted at in the film but were not drawn out. The cast of characters is sweet and endearing, but each has a moment that acts like a vignette rather than a cohesive part of the greater narrative. In some ways, the movie felt like it was working from a book, attempting to condense and track the pivotal moments without losing the plot too much. Although slightly funny, touching, and a bit heartbreaking, the movie makes the urge to dive into the novel more intense.

Luke Grimes and Ellie Kemper in Happiness for Beginners

The directing isn’t very flashy, despite emphasizing the quirky side of the story. It is quite a sturdy production, a notch above the typical TV-destined romantic comedy from the likes of Hallmark and Lifetime, yet it offers little creativity within the filmmaking and writing. Regardless, writer-director Vicky Wight’s approach is filled with warmth and quiet insightfulness. The simplicity in the directing only strengthens the resolve of the film’s message. While the film reeks of the typical Netflix aesthetic, Wight captures the essence of Helen’s journey well enough. Daniel Vecchione’s cinematography, in particular, is key to that success. The film is easy to look at and not overly complicated. Though lacking in ambition, the sense of familiarity is exactly what many crave.

The film has the key ingredients to be a steamy, laugh-out-loud romantic romp, but it is just not that. Rather, Happiness for Beginners opts for chaste romance and light humor that is more of a simple emotional drama than it is a romantic comedy. Kemper and Grimes are very much suited for this mannerly take on the genre, where the romance stems from a long-hidden, unrequited love and appreciation for each other. A new environment, surrounded by strangers, is the ideal circumstance to get these two to dive deep into their emotions. Kemper and Grimes expertly express their characters’ evolving feelings quite well. They also have great chemistry — their characters’ opposites attract vibe is perfectly captured by their performances. The film wouldn’t be as engaging without compatible leads, but these two neatly tie the whole picture together, and they do so quite effortlessly.

Ben Cook, Nico Santos, Ellie Kemper, Luke Grimes, and Shayvawn Webster in Happiness for Beginners

The supporting cast is a delight. Nico Santos does his best with what little he is given, but every line and look from him will be met with laughter. Benjamin Cook’s uptight, type-A trail guide can be grating at times, but Cook’s performance really endears us to him, and you can’t help but smile at his silliness. Shayvawn Webster makes quite the impression as Windy, a happy-go-lucky type who is the perfect foil for Helen. Webster’s effortless charisma and sweet smile light up the screen, indicating her potential in future roles. Everyone else brings the right amount of lightness to the story, as well as their own interesting characteristics to help Helen find her way back to who she was.

Happiness For Beginners is ultimately a heartwarming, gentle, understated romantic comedy. It is filled with laughs, but its endearing qualities are strong enough to maintain a smile on your face from beginning to end. With an amusing ensemble cast, a sturdy script, lovely filmmaking, and the power of its leads’ chemistry, Happiness For Beginners is a modest delight.

Happiness For Beginners is now streaming on Netflix. It is 104 minutes long and rated PG-13.