Hector and the Search for Happiness movie based on the book ... originally published in French

This sounds like it could make a fantastic movie, especially when you consider the cast, which got a little cooler and quirkier today with the addition of Toni Collette and Jean Reno.  On the other hand, the director, Peter Chelsom is also responsible for directing The Hannah Montana movie!  A pretty terrifying credit imho.

Have you read the book from Francois Lelord? Published in France in 2002, as Le Voyage d'Hector ou la recherche du bonheur, the novel came out in English as Hector and the Search for Happiness in 2010. The screen version is currently filming.

From Barnes and Noble -

A charming fable about modern life that has touched the hearts of more than two million readers worldwide.

Following on the success of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and already a worldwide sensation, Hector and the Search for Happiness finally comes to America, where readers will delight in its uplifting humor. As Hector travels from Paris to China to the United States, he keeps a list of observations about the people he meets, hoping to find the secret to happiness. Combining the winsome appeal of The Little Prince with the inspiring philosophy of The Alchemist, Hector's journey around the world and into the human soul is entertaining, empowering, and smile inducing-as winning in its optimism as it is powerful in its insight and reassuring in its simplicity.

Rosamund Pike, Pride & Prejudice

Now look who's in it -

Simon Pegg in Paul

Simon Pegg, who I loved in Paul and Shawn of the Dead but who's done so much more, is Hector
the psychiatrist searching the world for happiness.
He's joined by Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer plus just added today, Toni Collette and Jean Reno. Tinker Lindsay wrote the script based on Lelord's book. By the way, Lelord is a psychiatrist who has practiced around the world. He wrote a sequel, Hector and the Search for Love, but as far as I know he remains a practicing psychiatrist based in Paris.
By the way according to Tinker Lindsay's website, Lindsay also has a screenplay based on Deborah Moggach's Tulip Fever in development. It's possible that the successful adaptation of Moggach's Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will get that project moving too... if it does I hope the film works better than the book. Read my take on Tulip Fever here.

I'm reposting this for readers who take part in the Dreaming of France meme over at An Accidental Blog. It's one of my faves.