Happiness For Beginners follows newly divorced Helen Carpenter who takes a leap into the unknown by enrolling in a survivalist course that guarantees the “adventure of a lifetime”.
Directed by Vicky Wight, Happiness for Beginners features Ellie Kemper, Luke Grimes, Nico Santos, Ben Cook, Alexander Koch, and Blythe Danner in key roles. An adaptation of the 2015 novel of the same name by Katherine Center. A rom-com that follows the rollercoaster journey of its central character Helen, Happiness for Beginners presents an emotion-filled experience of self-discovery for audiences to enjoy. By the end of Happiness for Beginners, not only Helen undergoes a life-transforming journey, that would make the best of us jealous, but also she finds a new passion for life that often gets lost, unknowingly.
Happiness For Beginners Story Summary
Amidst her brother Duncan’s (Alexander Koch) lively house party, Helen (Ellie Kemper) sits like a daydreamer, lost in her own world. While everyone dances and laughs, she drifts away, mentally preparing her checklist for an exciting hiking trip she’ll embark on the next day. Oblivious to the chatter around her, she anxiously awaits Duncan to hand over the house keys for house-sitting.
As she sits there, Helen is whisked away four years into the depths of nostalgia, back to the day she married Mike (Aaron Roman Weiner), her now ex-husband. She vividly remembers how Duncan and his best friend Jake (Luke Grimes), instead of offering congratulations, warned her against marrying Mike. Undeterred, she defended her love for him, citing their long history together.
Ellie Kemper’s Helen Must Rid Herself Of Her Past
Flickers of memories play like an old movie in Helen’s mind, and she ponders the flaws and fractures that eventually led to her divorce. Amidst the bittersweet recollections, her phone buzzes with yet another text from Mike, pestering her as usual. Annoyed, she screams, scanning the party crowd for her elusive brother Duncan, the keeper of the sought-after keys. At this moment, Jake rises from the crowd and tells her that Duncan is out by the river with a girl.
Jake and Helen step outside as they struggle to hear each other. Jake asks Helen to give him the keys, which he would give to Duncan. Helen, after passing the keys, Jake that she needs to go home and pack as she needs to leave the next day. Jake pesters Helen to stay longer, but Helen proceeds and leaves.
The next morning, Duncan arrives at Helen’s place for house-sitting with coffee in his hand. He waves her goodbye and asks her to say hello to Grandma Gigi (Blythe Danner). At night, Helen reaches her grandma’s place and finds out she is at some book club. Resultantly, she eats her dinner alone in solitude in the backyard. Grandma comes back home singing and dancing, finds Helen, and lay down by her side. Grandma Gigi asks Helen about her divorce, and Helen responds that she feels a little sad, but her excitement about the hiking trip takes over.
Helen Sets Out For a Lifetime Experience
Helen leaves for her wilderness journey the following day with high spirits and hope. She reaches the motel where she would meet her hiking team and start her journey. The moment she parks her car, Mike again pesters her by calling her. Helen tells him again that they are divorced, and they won’t see each other. As Helen enters the motel, she meets Hugh (Nico Santos), a chirpy guy who wants to be an actor but is stuck selling insurance.
In the morning, she meets her guide, Beckett (Ben Cook), and her fellow hikers. As they acquaint themselves with each other, Beckett asks Helen to introduce herself. She talks about how she lives in Pittsburgh and is an English teacher by profession. She also throws light upon her divorce and how she has promised herself that, from now on, she won’t break any promises and thus she is there to reset her life.
In a surprising turn of events, Helen encounters her brother’s best friend, Jake, during the introductory session. To her astonishment, he too seeks a fresh start in life, just like Helen. Despite her suspicions, Jake assures her that he’s on the hiking trip for himself, not to keep an eye on Helen. They agree to act as strangers, avoiding any interaction.
The following day, the hikers embark on their wilderness adventure. Upon reaching the woods, Beckett instructs everyone to prepare for the hike. Unfortunately, Helen injures her knee during the process. Fortunately, Jake, who’s also a doctor, comes to her aid and tends to her injury. Undeterred, Helen perseveres through the challenges, completing her initial hours of hiking. However, Beckett notices her misstep on a log and advises her to be cautious.
Amidst the rugged terrain, the hikers diligently learn safety measures, setting up tents and mastering the bear hang technique. Each day brings new determination as they trek through the wilderness, forging strong bonds. During a moment of rest, Jake’s curiosity leads him to question Helen’s true motive for joining the hike. She confesses that she yearned for a life change, which puzzles Jake, who warns her to be cautious.
During a moment of relaxation, Beckett, the guide, stumbles upon an enigmatic note lying on the ground. Curious and slightly angered by the litter, he inquires about its owner. Without revealing its origins, he reads the intriguing message: “Find a deeper connection to nature… rise up from the ashes like a phoenix.”
Jake recognizes the note as Helen’s but remains silent. Respecting the earth, Beckett decides to burn the note, unwilling to let it harm the environment. As the group prepares to move forward, Jake hands Helen a note, urging her to open it once she returns home. Perplexed, Helen tucks it safely into her pocket and continues the journey ahead. As the days pass, camaraderie blossoms among the hikers, fostering a sense of unity.
When In Trouble, Helen Comes To Rescue
Helen eventually confronts Jake about his peculiar behavior towards her. His bittersweet response that “Helen was too good for Mike” surprises her, leaving her frustrated and walking away. Beckett organizes the group into pairs for the next leg of the trek. Helen and her team, led by Hugh, face an unfortunate accident that leaves Hugh injured. Swiftly taking charge, Helen administers first aid while concern lingers for Hugh’s well-being. With Hugh’s condition worsening, Helen embarks on a desperate quest to find Beckett and his group.
Tackling the veil of darkness, Helen finally reunites with Beckett and his team. She quickly updates them about Hugh’s injury and his worsening condition. Beckett calls for rest until dawn to aid Hugh. In the quiet of the night, Helen and Jake share a tent and struggle to find sleep. The rising unrest sparks a candid conversation. Helen opens up about her family, her relationship with Duncan, and the loss of her brother Nick.
In an abrupt twist, Helen brings up the topic of Jake’s kiss with a hiker named Windy (Shayvawn Webster), during a game of truth and dare. Amidst the emotional exchange, Jake, feigning a jealous role, confronts Helen about her continued communication with her ex-husband. The tension escalates, leading to Helen angrily ending the conversation and seeking solace in sleep. As dawn breaks, they set out to rescue Hugh and the other hikers.
Helen, guiding the way, leads them to the injured group, relieving the team’s anxiety. Beckett commends Helen for her adept first aid skills, deciding to send Hugh to the hospital for further care. In an unexpected twist, Hugh offers Helen a heartfelt piece of advice – to embrace happiness and explore her feelings for Jake – as part of her journey to reset her life.
Happiness for Beginners Ending Explained
Amidst the adventure, Helen and Jake’s bond continues to deepen. Beckett shares his cherished secret spot with the group, a hidden gem of nature. As they reach the final camp, all hikers bask in the beauty of their surroundings. Beckett and Jake head off to fish for dinner, while Helen and the others set up tents and light the fire. As night falls, Beckett returns with their catch, but Jake is still absent.
Helen grows anxious and ventures out to find Jake. She discovers Jake sitting alone and, with the torchlight illuminating him, calls out to him. Fearing the impending loss of his vision, Jake seeks comfort in Helen’s arms. She reassures him, pledging her support during his challenging time. In this vulnerable moment, a deep connection blossoms between Helen and Jake. Just as they are about to share a kiss, they are interrupted by a fellow hiker searching for them.
As their wilderness survival trip draws to a close, Beckett leads a heartfelt prayer, thanking Mother Earth for its abundant bounty. Back at the motel, Beckett announces the award for the “Best Out Banker” initially for Hugh. However, everyone recognizes Helen’s assistance to Hugh; thus, Beckett declares them both as winners. Amidst the celebrations, Helen overhears a conversation that hints to her that Jake has someone waiting for him at home. Disheartened, she decides to leave the party early. Despite Jake’s attempt to stop her, Helen remains resolute.
Do Helen And Jake Unite in ‘Happiness for Beginners’?
Back home, as Helen unpacks, she discovers the note entrusted to her by Jake. Inside lays a heartfelt confessional poem that stirs her emotions. Days pass, and a serendipitous reunion occurs at Grandma Gigi’s party. There, amidst the warm ambiance, Jake courageously declares his love for Helen. Overwhelmed with joy, Helen responds by kissing him and embracing him tightly. In a heartwarming tale of love and rediscovery, Helen finally finds her happiness and resets her life for the better. The journey of transformation for Helen, in Happiness for Beginners, amidst nature’s embrace, culminates in a love story that defies all odds. It turns out that happiness exists for everybody, even for beginners.
Happiness for Beginners is available to stream on Netflix.
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