Synopsis
Happiness Is is a South African rom-com movie set to release in 2024. It continues the story of the beloved characters from previous films in the franchise. The films include Happiness is a Four-Letter Word and Happiness Ever After. This time, the story is focused on Princess, an art-gallery owner and a loving mother who is a divorced woman on the edge of her 40th birthday, living in Johannesburg.
It seems like Princess lives a life that is fulfilling. She is a mother, has successful career, and has close friendships. However, in reality, there is something that is amiss for her. As her birthday draws closer, she begins to feel anxious instead of excited. To her, turning 40 is far more than a number, and it is a constant reminder of a life that has not turned out quite as she hoped for.
Her best friend, Tumi, as usual has plans to help her out. This time, she throws an extravagant birthday party for Princess at her mother’s mansion. This comes as a surprise to her friend as Tumi’s intentions are pure. However, the plans have a tendency to set off a whole range of emotional confrontations, unanticipated meetings, and graceful realizations that tend to affect a lot of people around.
At the party’s Eve, Princess witnesses her ex-husband, Leo, with a new partner who is heavily pregnant. This evokes a lot of feelings in her, mainly: resentment, pain, jealousy, and the most significant, the acknowledgement that she has not moved on. This is not aided by the fact that her daughter is the one to inform her about Leo’s new family.
Celebrations continue as planned. Family, friends, and some unexpected attendees arrive as well, including Leo. This leads to the eruption of pent up tension, the revealing of concealed secrets, and the severing of several relationships, both loving and platonic. The current emotional crisis coupled with the chaos brings the mixing of possibilities and the past.
Ironically, Princess gets locked in a closet while trying to escape the emotional turmoil of the party. In the closet, she meets Mawethu, a catering chef for the event. The two engage in deep conversations that begin to touch their inner selves. In both a literal and figurative sense of being trapped, Princess is able to open up, for the first time in years.
On this occasion, Tumi finds herself in a romantic standstill with Sabelo, her long-term partner. While she does love him, Tumi is deeply tethered to the fear of commitment and the trauma of being abandoned in the past. During the party, their emotional standstill climaxes, compelling both to confront the question whether their love is worth fighting for.
As the Evening progresses, Tumi and Sabelo tenderly reach a resolution, which for Sabelo is a surprise proposal. Leo and Princess no longer trapped in a loop of what-ifs, and Tumi and Sabelo reach a tender resolution. During this shift, the emotional armor that has burdened her for so long begins to shed for Princess. Allowing herself to hope, she decides to take a chance on Mawethu, embracing what she wishes to love.
With the episodes filled with laughter and the warmth of a glow, the scenes portray rebirth. While Princess still lacks an answer to every question, she has defined and claimed her happiness, reclaiming it on her own terms.
Main Cast and Characters
While driven, Princess is successful and emotionally complex, with every visible she remains unsettled internally. Her 40th birthday catalyzes a re-evaluation of purpose and relationships.
Outspoken and fiercely loyal, Tumi is Princess’s best friend. She embodies spontaneity and fun, but deeply struggles with vulnerabilities, particularly in love.
Leo – Comes into Princess’s life as her ex-husband. Despite him moving on to a new relationship, he continues to be a source of emotional turmoil for Princess.
Sabelo – Partners with Tumi. He is grounded, steady, deeply in love with Tumi, and emotionally intelligent, becoming a stabilizing influence in the emotional storm of the story.
Mawethu – A wise caterer who speaks little brings a unique peace and perspective into Princess’s life. He demonstrates that love is possible in the most surprising circumstances, marking quiet turning points within the story.
Direction and Style
The film is cop directed by Nthabiseng Mokoena and Naledi Ya Naledi, who brings a more mature, thoughtful lens to a story grounded in everyday life. The visual style includes warm bold colors and exquisite production design that reflect the life of the upper middle class of Johannesburg as well as the social circles.
The directors stylistically make use of the lavish mansion as both a physical and mental space. The party acts as a steam cooker where secrets, tensions, and plenty of affection build to an explosive release. Quiet, intimate exchanges counterbalance boisterous laughter and emotional outbursts that highlight the chaos of family and friendship.
The script combines humor with emotional depth. Characters feel real and multi-dimensional, with personal transformation occurring with each. Although the story takes place mostly within a single night, the emotional arcs feel expansive.
Themes and Emotional Impact
At its core, Happiness Is looks at the subject of emotional transformation, especially concerning love, in the context of middle age. Princess’s storyline captures a deeper reality: the idea that despite constructing a life that seems desirable, emotional wounds, especially in the realms of love and self-esteem, are difficult to escape.
The film also explores:
The fear of aging and how, within societal context, a woman’s age seems to categorically diminsh her societal value.
Motherhood and heritage, where Princess grapples with striving to be a role model to her daughter, while sharing parenting with an ex who has moved on with his life.
Friendship and emotional labor within it, where for Princess and Tumi, love in the relationship can be tough love.
Second chances for everyone, all of the characters are given chances to heal, reconnect, or start anew.
Reception and Analysis
Happiness Is has garnered attention for its relatable concepts and captivating themes, alongside the impressive performances and culture representation. Viewers responded positively to the nuanced depiction of adult romantic, familial, and platonic relationships, as well as the portrayal of confident, complex, and unapologetically real women.
Critics observed the movie’s emotional layers, though some aspects of the storyline were somewhat predictable. What elevates the film above the typical rom-com are the strong performances, the earnestness of the script, and the film’s open-heartedness. While some moments may be overly sentimental, the characters’ vulnerability helps to ground the film.
That the film captures the best balance of humor and heart is greatly appreciated. Their humor, which often emerges from ensemble interactions at the party, is not strained and the quieter, contemplative moments are deeply moving.
Conclusion
Happiness Is… is not just an ordinary romantic comedy, rather it is about self-love, resilience, and personal growth. This film encapsulates the emotional turmoil accompanying turning forty, the inner strength required to confront unresolved discomfort, and the radiance of embracing joy in life, regardless of how different it may be from expectations.
Happiness Is joyously demonstrates, with moving performances, sumptuous visuals, and a narrative grounded in emotional authenticity, joy does not need to be perfect; it only needs to be real. For those longing for an uplifting, honest narrative, this film encapsulates a heartfelt depiction of love in the many ways it exists.
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