H is For Happiness has a lot of tonal shifts; some of which work, some don't. There is trauma and dysfunction at the base of this film, but there is a sunny disposition that might work for some kids, but the darker elements certainly won't, and likewise the adults will struggle with some of the twee and tweenie elements but appreciate the more substantial themes here of healing, redemptive love and tolerance.
Emma Booth and Richard Roxburgh make for an odd couple - both excellent actors in their own right, but the age difference immediately struck me as a problem. Joel Jackson as the brother to Roxburgh is also bizarre as there is at least 20 + years age difference between them. Nevertheless, the young child actor Daisy Axon is wonderful and truly shines in the leading role. Also impressive here is the quirky Bi National Miriam Margolyes as the very haughty and optically challenged school teacher. She is a lot of fun and quite poignant.
I am not sure that the various themes and tones of the competing narrative threads sit all that well together here, but at the end of the day, there's lots to enjoy here. Exactly who the audience is though is a conundrum as it often is for the Aussie film industry when a story as interesting as this one comes along.
