''Happiness Is'' is a 2009 documentary film that the examines the different interpretations of the "pursuit of happiness" in America. The film features interviews with notable personalities such as the

Dalai Lama Dalai Lama (, ; ) is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current Dal ...

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

and

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his catchy brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrument ...

as well as happiness authors Daniel Gilbert,

Gretchen Rubin Gretchen Craft Rubin (born December 14, 1965) is an American author, blogger and speaker. Early life and education Born Gretchen Anne Craft, Gretchen Rubin grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where her father was a lawyer at the firm of Craft, Fr ...

and Darrin McMahon. It's the second film from director and writer

Andrew Shapter Andrew Shapter (December 30, 1966 – February 23, 2019) was an American film director, producer, writer and photographer. Shapter is known for his documentaries, ''Before the Music Dies'' (2006) and ''Happiness Is'' (2009), his feature film ...

Plot

''Happiness Is'' is a road trip documentary that explores American's "pursuit of happiness". It is the second film from Andrew Shapter, director of the popular music documentary, ''

Before the Music Dies ''Before the Music Dies'' (B4MD) is a 2006 United States, U.S. documentary film that criticizes the American music industry and the increasing commercialization of the art of music over the past thirty years. The film features interviews and perfo ...

'' and his first with producer, Tracy Marino, who is also a producer on his next film, ''The Teller and The Truth''. ''Happiness Is'' examines America's constant struggle to find more happiness as it breaks down the many interpretations of what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote the words "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

References

External links

* American documentary films 2009 films 2009 documentary films Documentary films about the United States Documentary films about psychology 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language documentary films {{2000s-US-film-stub