Yellowstone Break Out Star Leads Netflix Rom-Com That Will Make You Fall In Love
Romantic comedy, Happiness for Beginners is currently number four on the United States Netflix streaming chart. The film, which stars Ellie Kemper of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fame and Yellowstone breakout star Luke Grimes, also managed to break into the streamer’s top 10 in several countries such as Greece, India, Iceland, and more, FlixPatrol reports.
Happiness for Beginners follows the journey of newly divorced Helen (Ellie Kemper) as she embarks on a beginner’s survivalist course along an Appalachian Trail. Before departing, she runs into her brother’s friend Jake (Luke Grimes), who she asks to pass along her house keys. The chance meeting brings back memories of her wedding and her past with Jake and her brother Duncan.
Happiness for Beginners is based on the 2015 Katherine Center novel of the same name. The book falls into the contemporary romance genre and revolves around themes of personal growth, resilience, and finding happiness amidst life’s challenges.
During the outdoor course, Helen meets her fellow hikers and young guide Beckett. To her surprise, Jake also appears as part of the group leading to a mini confrontation. Although Helen asks Jake to keep his distance, they gradually open up to each other while navigating the challenges of the trail and dealing with fellow hikers’ dynamics.
Just before the trip ends, Helen and Jake reveal their darkest secrets to each other. At home, Helen reconnects with Duncan and reconciles with her past. Her journey of self-discovery leads Happiness for Beginners to a predictable but sweet romantic end. Although the heartfelt story resonated with fans, the Netflix film holds a dismal critics rating of 26 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Vicky Wight, Happiness for Beginners is based on the 2015 Katherine Center novel of the same name. The book falls into the contemporary romance genre and revolves around themes of personal growth, resilience, and finding happiness amidst life’s challenges. Like the movie, the story follows Helen Carpenter, who is dealing with the aftermath of a divorce.
Where The Movie Strays From The Book
However, the Happiness for Beginners movie has some significant plot changes compared to the book. Most notably, the film presents a sunnier outlook, infusing the story with a more optimistic tone. The movie also delves deeper into interactions between the main characters, fostering stronger connections and relationships.
The ending of the Netflix film takes a different direction from the book, adding a unique twist to the story. In terms of structure, the Happiness for Beginners movie opts for a more streamlined plot, condensing certain elements for pacing.
Happiness for Beginners marks Luke Grimes’ return to movies after starring in the 2019 film, Into The Ashes. Grimes began his acting career in the mid-2000s, appearing in several television shows. He made his film debut in the movie All the Boys Love Mandy Lane in 2006. One of his most notable roles came when he joined the cast of the popular television series True Blood as James Kent.
Luke Grimes stars in the romantic comedy Happiness for Beginners on Netflix.
Grimes took on the role of James in the sixth season of True Blood, appearing in six episodes. He reportedly exited the series as he did not want to film scenes involving same-sex kissing and was reluctant to portray a character with an attraction to men. However, Grimes’s representative said that his departure was motivated by a desire to explore other opportunities like Happiness for Beginners.
Grimes went on to appear in 2014’s American Sniper as Marc Lee, a United States Navy SEAL who tragically lost his life in combat. He also played Elliot Grey, Christian Grey’s brother, in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey in 2015 and its subsequent installments, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, in 2017 and 2018.
From 2018 onward, Grimes has played Kayce Dutton alongside Kevin Costner in the Paramount Network drama series Yellowstone. Kayce, a skilled horseman and ranch hand, is also a former Navy SEAL. He is the son of John Dutton, the proprietor of the Yellowstone Ranch, and is married to Monica Long, with whom he shares a son named Tate.
As the show unfolds, Kayce grapples with the shadows of his military past and the challenges of life as a rancher. Luke Grimes’s depiction of Kayce Dutton has been well-received by viewers and critics. Alongside his acting career, Grimes also released his debut country music single titled “No Horse to Ride.”
While the second half of Yellowstone season five is currently on hold due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, fans can catch the actor in Happiness for Beginners on Netflix.
