H is for Happiness (2019), directed by John Sheedy

Candice Phee is a super smart but slightly naïve 12-year-old who maintains a sunny outlook on life despite her dysfunctional family. Her mother is severely depressed following the cot death of Candice’s baby sister. Her dad is permanently on the computer and doesn’t speak to his brother, Rich Uncle Brian, following a business quarrel. Candice is determined to fix her broken family, aided by her new friend – Douglas Benson from another dimension – and a horse. This absurdist tale dips into cartoon territory, without ever going over the top. Daisy Axon perfectly portrays the precocious, but appealing, Candice. She is ably supported by a terrific cast, including Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman and Miriam Margolyes. Based on the book My Life as an Alphabet, by Barry Jonsberg, this film is funny and moving, with some gently educational things to say about bullying, depression and family relationships. Little jokes inserted throughout provide a nice payoff at the end. It deserves a much larger audience than it is likely to receive, judging by how poorly it has been marketed. It covers similar territory to the much-hyped Paper Planes, another Australian film from a few years ago, but does it much better.