A twelve year old girl with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world, is inspired by the strange new boy at school and sets out to mend her broken family - whatever it takes.

Based on the award-winning book My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg, it is the genuinely heart-warming and unflinchingly honest story of one twelve-year-old's determination to bring her family back from the brink and spark happiness in their lives.

John Sheedy's Directorial debut is an absolute triumph! Do yourself a favour and go see this new film, which I am reluctant to call an Australian film, because in many ways it does not look and feel like one. I believe this is a deliberate and beneficial design and creative choice, which allows the film to be more meaningful to more young people in different parts of the world. The story could take place anywhere!

H is for Happiness does not shy away from big issues like depression and Sudden Infant Death syndrome and is an excellent interpretation of the Darwin writer Barry Johnsberg's 2013 young adult fiction novel, "My Life as an Alphabet".

I caught up with him at a recent screening where he said he was very happy with the film and screenplay and was especially impressed with the star, Daisy Axon.

I agree that she did a wonderful job and was supported well by Richard Roxburgh and Emma Booth as her parents, Joel Jackson as "Rich Uncle Brian" and Wesley Patten as her classmate and friend, Douglas Benson.

Deborah Mailman and Miriam Margoyles do not disappoint in their roles, although it would have been nice for Mailman's character to have a little more screen time.


I was pleasantly surprised by this film it was funny, well written, well acted and looked delightful with the forest scenes like something out of a fairytale, not unlike a Wes Anderson film aesthetically, which makes sense as Sheedy is a lover of his work. All in an excellent way to spend an evening and a film that can move and inspire audiences young and old alike.

Genre: Drama, Family

Release Date: Aug 11, 2019

Stars: Richard Roxburgh, Miriam Margolyes, Emma Booth

Source: H.Is.For.Happiness.2019.1080p.WEB-DL.DD5.1.H264-FGT

Language: English

Subtitle Language: English

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6943854/

⇒ H is for Happiness (2019) MP4