Happiness Is Review: Pretty Scenes With Poor Narrative

Turning forty was intended to be a modest event for Princess; however, when her best friend plans an unforgettable party, her life is dramatically altered. Happiness Is is a Netflix film produced by Bangiwe Selene Productions and written by Duduzile Mabaso and Thuso Sibisi.

Plot

At almost 40, Princess leads a fulfilling life: a successful businesswoman, a devoted mother to her daughter Thandi, and a supportive co-parent. Despite her accomplishments, she often feels lonely at home, longing for companionship.

Tumi, her friend and an event planner who prefers the title “Luxury Event Architect,” is busy organising Princess’s upcoming birthday dinner. While discussing the party with Princess and her mother, Tumi unexpectedly encounters her ex-husband with a pregnant woman. Meanwhile, her plus one, Sabelo, grows impatient, feeling sidelined in Tumi’s life as he seeks a serious relationship.

Leo, Princess’s co-parent and an artist preparing for a solo exhibition, is focused on completing a centrepiece dedicated to his muse. When Princess picks up Thandi from Leo’s, she invites him to her party, but he declines. This refusal triggers a confrontation about a lipstick Thandi found in his bathroom, leading to an argument where Princess reminds Leo of her sacrifices to help him be a present father.

Feeling overwhelmed, Princess decides to cancel her birthday party to seek solitude at her mother’s holiday home. On her way, a minor collision with a truck leads to an altercation with the driver, who turns out to be her birthday party chef. As Tumi learns about Princess’s decision, she insists on going on a road trip to support her, enlisting Sabelo for help. He introduces her to his sister, Nelly, who joins them.

Arriving at the holiday house, Tumi discovers that Nelly is dating Leo, intensifying the tension. When Princess attempts to leave, she encounters unexpected guests and finds herself drawn back in.

Tensions rise between Tumi and Sabelo as she becomes jealous of Tony’s plus-one, Fifi, and confronts Sabelo about their casual relationship. The day before the party, Princess tells Tumi she wants a simple celebratory dinner, unaware that Tumi is still secretly planning a larger event.

Sabelo confesses his love for Tumi, but she panics, revealing past fears of commitment stemming from her ex’s desire for marriage and children. Meanwhile, Princess learns that Nelly is pregnant, a fact unknown to Leo.

In a game during the party, Princess inadvertently exposes hidden truths, leaving Leo furious and on the edge of relapsing. After Princess tries to mend things with Nelly and Leo, tensions escalate, resulting in Nelly, Tony, and Sabelo leaving before the festivities begin. Leo departs to find Nelly, and as Princess seeks solitude, Mawethu pursues her, attempting to kiss her. She resists, choosing not to rush into anything.

During the party, Sabelo and his friends return, but chaos ensues when Tumi and Princess fight, revealing secrets publicly. Amidst the turmoil, Sabelo consumes an edible, prompting a frantic search for him. This gives Tumi a chance to reflect on her treatment of Sabelo, while Leo and Nelly finally communicate openly.

Ultimately, Tumi admits her love for Sabelo, realising her fear of commitment holds her back. As the party continues, the relationships among the group are tested, but hope for reconciliation lingers.

Cast

Renate Stuurman delivers a commendable performance as Princess, the protagonist in Happiness Is. She embodies a calm, collected, and classy woman, though some viewers found it challenging to connect with her emotions due to their often confusing and restrained nature.

In contrast, Gail Mabalane’s portrayal is marked by greater emotional expressiveness, adding depth to the film, particularly in her relationship with Sabelo, played by Siv Ngesi. Ngesi’s character brings a layer of complexity and spite, enhancing the film’s romantic theme.

The film also features OC Ukeje, a well-known Nigerian actor, whose performance is engaging and skilfully executed. 

Rosemary Zimu plays Fifi, a social media influencer whose character injects energy into the narrative, although her role is not entirely essential to the plot.

Other notable actors include Richard Lukunku, Anton David, Phaphama Nqabeni, and several others, each contributing to the film’s overall dynamic.

Language

As a Jo’burg movie, it features several languages aside from the English language, which are Zulu, Tswana, Xhosa, and Afrikaans.

Summary

Happiness Is features stunning costumes and impressive settings, but these elements alone do not make for a compelling film. The plot lacks engagement, with many aspects unnecessarily prolonged, particularly Tumi’s backstory and the histories of Leo and Princess. The narrative surrounding Leo’s past/relapse and Princess’s support is inadequately developed and also creates a sense that the filmmakers were trying too hard to integrate Mawethu into the story. 

In their effort to provide each character with a storyline and role, the overall plot suffers from a lack of cohesion and strength.