HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE
An enjoyable romantic comedy about gratitude, commitment, and true love.
Should You Watch It?
HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE is a very enjoyable small romantic comedy. Its winning performances, likable characters, colorful sense of place, and believable dialogue make it an unforgettable debut for writer-director Josh Radnor.
The film follows people wrestling with commitment, dissatisfaction, and promiscuous relationships. Its moral direction is ultimately encouraging: the characters move toward more honest beliefs about lasting love, monogamy, and gratitude. But the early part treats premarital sex cavalierly, and the movie contains strong foul language, including about 20 “f” words in the review’s summary.
If you are an adult who can thoughtfully weigh those concerns, this film offers real entertainment and moral reflection. For children and young teens, choose something else: WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn New York City, three twentysomething couples face questions about love, commitment, happiness, and maturity.
A freelance writer becomes responsible for a young African-American boy who has broken free from the foster care system. At the same time, the writer and his friends navigate fears of commitment, difficult romantic histories, and the hope of finding something more lasting.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a genuinely enjoyable film with notable strengths and some serious content drawbacks. The performances are winning, the characters are appealing, the New York setting is colorful, and the dialogue feels believable.
Josh Radnor effectively directs and writes this heartfelt romantic dramedy, while also giving a strong performance. The friendship between the writer and the boy is beautifully depicted, and the film’s movement toward mature commitment and gratitude gives its romance more substance than mere charm.
The movie’s early treatment of premarital sex and its strong foul language keep it from being more audience-friendly. Still, the craft and emotional appeal make it a delightful surprise.
The Worldview
The film has a strong romantic worldview with some moral elements. It begins with characters making immoral choices and treating premarital sex casually, but it does not present promiscuity as satisfying. Instead, the characters frequently express disappointment in their own and others’ behavior as they seek solid, monogamous relationships.
The film ultimately exalts true and lasting love, commitment, gratitude, and the possibility of growing into more moral behavior. It also presents a refreshingly positive view of the life one couple has created together. However, a sarcastic reference to Jesus and the film’s lack of reliance on God show that its moral vision is not fully biblical.
The film’s longing for gratitude connects with Scripture’s call to receive life with thankfulness: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Romantic worldview with some moral elements leading to commitment in male/female relationships, but lead character sarcastically asks a woman who declines to sleep with him on their first date, “Is this some sort of Jesus thing?”; at least 27 obscenities and profanities (mostly “f” words); no violence; three implied sex scenes, lead character and his love interest enter an agreement for a “three-night stand” when she says she doesn’t want a one-night stand and even draft a contract where she gains access to his apartment keys for three days, but characters frequently express their disappointment in their own and others’ promiscuous behavior, as they strive to find a solid monogamous relationship, and the one couple who live together get engaged and have a refreshingly positive view of the life they’ve created when the female discovers she’s pregnant; upper male nudity; alcohol use and one female character is a bartender; no smoking; and, lying, deception and no reliance on God.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The characters struggle with promiscuity and the desire for lasting love. What makes a relationship faithful and honest rather than merely convenient?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Hebrews 13:4The film moves its characters toward a more grateful attitude. What does it mean to give thanks even when life is difficult?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 · Philippians 4:6–7One character takes responsibility for a vulnerable child and helps him express his gifts. How should Christians care for children who need protection and belonging?
James 1:27 · Psalm 82:3–4The film pursues moral behavior without relying on God. What difference does faith in God make in the way we understand love, commitment, and change?
John 15:5 · Ephesians 2:10The Final Word
This is a delightful, well-acted romantic comedy with appealing characters and a hopeful movement toward commitment and gratitude. Its strong language and lewd content make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other options, see.
