Movie spotlight
Whatever Makes You Happy
Based on Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Whatever Makes You Happy is an exploration of the all too common trappings of dissatisfaction and infidelity in the relationships of urban twenty somethings. Anna is a practical and bookish grad student. She lives a comfortable, yet safe life of study, friends, and her long time boyfriend Kevin. Alex is a musician, living the carefree urban hipster lifestyle, perfectly happy to coast through life unencumbered. Everything changes when by chance Anna and Alex meet through friends and connect in a way neither of them expected. This unlikely pair start a fiercely heated affair, putting both of their worlds in jeopardy. Is what they have together enough to survive the damage it causes?
Insights
Plot Summary
A down-on-his-luck actor, struggling to make ends meet, takes on a series of bizarre and often humiliating jobs. He navigates these absurd situations with a mix of resignation and surprising resilience, all while dealing with his unconventional family and a budding romance. The film explores themes of self-discovery and finding happiness in unexpected places.
Critical Reception
Whatever Makes You Happy received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising its quirky humor and lead performance, while others found its plot to be somewhat predictable and uneven in tone. Audiences generally responded positively to its lighthearted approach to everyday struggles.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unique brand of offbeat humor.
Applauded for a charming performance by J.P. Manoux.
Criticized for a formulaic plot that doesn't always hit the mark.
Google audience: Audience reception data for 'Whatever Makes You Happy' is not readily available on Google.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on a relatively low budget, with much of the filming taking place in and around the director's hometown.
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