How is Netflix's Happiness For Beginners' ending different to the book?
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If you're in need of a movie that feels like a warm comforting hug, then we cannot recommend Netflix's latest film Happiness For Beginners enough.
Based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Center, Happiness For Beginners tells the story of a freshly divorced Helen (Ellie Kemper) who signs up for a hiking and survival course on the Appalachian Trail. However, when she turns up for her first training day she discovers her little brother's best friend Jake (Luke Grimes) has also signed up for the course. Cue lots of lingering glances, scenic nature and the occasional wilderness disaster. Think, Reese Witherspoon's Wild, just not as intense.
So what happens with Helen and Jake on the trail? Do they end up together? And how does Helen's ending differ to that in the book? This is everything you need to know.
What happens at the end of Happiness For Beginners?
After days of blisters, 'will they won't they' moments and Hugh's (Nico Santos) injury, the group's trail finally comes to an end. On the final day of their hike, group leader Beckett (Ben Cook) reminds the group to vote on the bus for who they want to win the "Best Outbacker" certificate and they head out on their last day of hiking.
The group travels back on the bus and at the motel, they engage in an interesting karaoke session, before Beckett reveals the result of the vote. In perhaps a surprising turn, it's revealed Hugh, not Helen, has won the award for "Best Outbacker". Beckett reveals he voted for Helen, which is very sweet considering how they started out.
Mason (Esteban Benito) heads over to Helen where he reveals he voted for Hugh and Helen says she doesn't care. The pair watch Jake and Windy (Shayvawn Webster) talk, with Mason telling Helen he doesn't get why Windy is still trying to get with Jake, as Jake has said he's taken and has someone back home.
Whilst the rest of the group begins karaoke, Helen heads out but Jake and the rest of the group beg her to stay, they all hug goodbye and Helen heads home.
Helen drives home to Gigi's (Blythe Danner) where she's consumed by thoughts of Jake. When she gets home and begins unpacking her stuff she discovers a note Jake had left her in her bag.
The 'note' is actually a Pablo Neruda love poem Jake had written out for her. Gigi and Helen are catching up when Duncan (Alexander Koch) heads over. Helen takes the opportunity to apologise to Duncan for the way she's treated him over the years and ask if they can start over, which Duncan accepts.
The family heads out to a local party and Helen and Duncan share a sweet conversation where they say they're both the person the other one can depend on. As the siblings are dancing, Jake turns up and Helen tells him she read the poem and loved it and wished she had stayed. Jake apologies for acting like a jealous boyfriend and explains it was was because he wanted to be her boyfriend for so long. The film ends with the pair kissing on the dance floor.
How is the Happiness For Beginners ending different to the book?
Happiness For Beginners is based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Center, and whilst much of the film follows the book, the ending does differ slightly.
When Helen returns from the hike, she confesses to Duncan she's in love with Jake, and Duncan tells her he's known Jake has been in love with her forever. The family head to a bar mitzvah, and Jake and Helen run into each other.
Rather than a sweet snog on the dance floor, the pair get trapped in a lift where they have a rather tense discussion about their relationship. However, they eventually talk things through and end the novel kissing, cementing the start of their new relationship together.
Happiness For Beginners is available on Netflix now
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