Happiness Themes

There are many themes within the film that resonate with what families/individuals face today. For example: financial hardship, family values, relationships, trust, mental health, stability, and fighting to attain the picket fence ideal of the American Dream remain a part of the everyday struggle.
The film follows World War 2 veteran, Tom Rath, and his family, who are in a time of financial hardship. Tom’s wife Betsy is a hard-working mother who is tired of their old house and dreams of having something greater for herself and children. This theme is more common than not throughout America today. In today’s standards both men and women must work to obtain a stable life, but few of them ever do. Considering our current economic crises, student loan debt, the American debt ratio, cost of living, and the decrease of the middle class, from which our economy is dependent—I do not for see this theme to run its course anytime soon.
The second theme is embedded in relationships and trust. In the film there are several relationships such as with
In the film, Tom is working with his new boss, Ralph Hopkins, on a speech to bring awareness and action for mental health. All throughout history, depression and struggle remain taboo and silent. Even now, but alike the film, it is still a process and struggle. Today there are many resources and programs for those suffering from mental health, all of which spur from a similar mission to Ralph and Tom. In concordance with this, the film highlights not only mental health, but the effect of war. All throughout the film we are given bits of storyline to what Tom went through during World War II. We also view how Toms own mental health after the war effects his everyday life and family. This is an extremely relevant issue today. There are many veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues due to post war trauma, and the need for sustainable intervention has never been more alive or