What drives people to find success in their careers can be traced to many factors. Sometimes it’s as simple as seeking a loved one’s approval. Happy for You attempts to show a young woman on the cusp of realizing a dream, but the lack of support she receives from someone she craves affirmation from puts a damper on her party, literally.
Director Courtney Hope Therond has some profound insights she tries to make in this film, but the performances of her actors fall short in giving us characters we can connect with. Kayli Carter as Sophie can only scowl or look lost in her own celebration, which does not make her particularly sympathetic, especially since she is about to start her dream job. She seems petulant rather than wounded and her brief conversation with her ex-lover, played by Marjan Neshat does not give the viewer any insight as to why the latter would bother to show up at the party. Neshat seems cold and distant so it is inexplicable that she would reach out to her except perhaps the reality of Sophie moving out of town forced her hand.
In any case, the two characters have no chemistry and their exchange registers little emotion. They might as well have been in a grocery store parking lot debating who got the better sales. “Happy for You” is well shot and the party scenes are well choreographed, but the essence of the plot is lost. Sometimes, we just have to be our own cheerleaders.