My Happy Family Christian Review

Have you ever watched a film and found yourself not entirely sure what to make of it? Not in a “What just happened?” kind of way, but more in a “This feels like real life, and real life is complicated” sort of way. That’s the sensation I got after watching My Happy Family, a Georgian film about a middle-aged woman, Manana, who—seemingly out of the blue—decides to leave her family. She’s not running away from them; she’s just stepping out, deciding to claim a space that’s her own. But, of course, the act of leaving, especially in a close-knit, traditional family culture, kicks off a quiet storm of emotions and reactions.

There’s something so ordinary about Manana’s journey, but also something deeply profound. It’s the kind of film that lingers in the back of your mind, like a question you can’t quite answer. As a Christian, it stirred up thoughts about personal freedom, family ties, cultural expectations, and where our individual paths intersect with God’s will.

The Mundane and the Sacred

Life is made up of ordinary moments—making breakfast, cleaning the house, small conversations that seem inconsequential. In a way, My Happy Family captures that ordinariness with almost frustrating accuracy. The pace of the film mirrors the pace of real life, and if you’re looking for high drama, you won’t find it here. But perhaps that’s the point.

There’s a subtlety in the mundane that often goes overlooked. As Christians, we believe God is present in all things, even the little things. We don’t always need grand signs or dramatic revelations to see Him working. In fact, 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us to do everything—whether we eat, drink, or whatever else—for the glory of God. The film doesn’t overtly talk about faith or spiritual matters, but it opens a door to reflect on how God might be present even in the quiet, somewhat monotonous parts of life.

Manana’s decision to leave her family isn’t presented as a rebellion or a grand statement. It’s almost like she quietly decides, “This is what I need to do.” Her family, of course, doesn’t understand. They love her, and they show their love in the ways they’ve been taught—by holding her close, smothering her with their care, wrapping her in layers of guilt for daring to want something different. It’s a love that stifles, not liberates. And yet, it’s love. And isn’t that just like family sometimes? Messy, complicated, full of good intentions that miss the mark.

A Quiet Struggle for Freedom

In a society like the one Manana lives in, where the family is everything, her desire to live alone is baffling. It’s almost as though she’s speaking a foreign language. Her struggle is largely internal—there’s no dramatic outburst or confrontation. She’s not fighting against her family as much as she’s fighting for herself, for her own space. It’s the kind of battle many women, particularly those who’ve spent their lives serving others, can probably relate to.

From a Christian perspective, this raises some interesting questions. We’re taught that family is important—“Honor your father and mother,” we’re told in Ephesians 6:2. And 1 Timothy 5:8 goes even further, saying that anyone who doesn’t provide for their relatives has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. That’s serious stuff. But there’s also a recognition that each person has their own path, their own calling. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” which speaks to the importance of living a life that’s not constrained by the expectations of others.

Manana’s journey feels like an exploration of that freedom. She’s not rejecting her family; she’s simply stepping into a space where she can breathe, where she can figure out who she is apart from them. It’s not an easy decision, and the film makes that clear. There’s a lot of weight to the cultural and familial expectations she’s up against. And yet, there’s a quiet strength in her. She’s not loud or forceful—she’s just resolute.

The Role of Family: A Blessing or a Burden?

Family, in many ways, is the backbone of our lives. It shapes us, gives us our values, our sense of identity. But it can also be a heavy burden to carry. The film portrays this tension beautifully. Manana’s family clearly loves her, but they also can’t see her as an individual with her own needs. They see her through the lens of their own expectations—she’s a daughter, a wife, a mother. But who is she apart from those roles? That’s a question the film quietly asks but never fully answers, and maybe that’s because the answer isn’t simple.

As Christians, we’re called to love and support our families. But what happens when the very people we’re called to love are the ones holding us back from becoming who God created us to be? It’s a tricky balance. The Bible doesn’t give us easy answers here. On the one hand, we’re to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), but on the other hand, we’re also called to live out the life God has planned for us, even if it means stepping away from what’s familiar.

In My Happy Family, we see this tension play out in the most understated of ways. There’s no villain in this story—just people trying to do what they think is right, even if it’s not what’s best for Manana. And isn’t that how life often is? People, even the ones who love us the most, don’t always know what’s best for us.

A Reflection of Quiet Strength

Ia Shugliashvili’s portrayal of Manana is what holds the film together. She’s a quiet force, an introvert who doesn’t need to shout to be heard. In a world that often values loud, assertive personalities, there’s something refreshing about seeing a woman who embodies a different kind of strength. It’s a strength that comes from within, from knowing what you need and being willing to take the steps to get it, even if no one else understands.

In many ways, Manana embodies the meekness Jesus talks about in Matthew 5:5—“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Meekness isn’t weakness, though it’s often mistaken for that. It’s a quiet, steady strength that doesn’t need to dominate others. Manana doesn’t fight her family. She doesn’t argue or try to convince them to see things her way. She just quietly goes about the business of reclaiming her own life.

Final Thoughts

My Happy Family isn’t a film that wraps everything up neatly. It leaves you with questions, some of which don’t have easy answers. It’s a film about family, freedom, and the quiet strength it takes to claim your own space in a world that wants to define you by its standards. As a Christian, it’s a reminder that life is messy, relationships are complicated, and sometimes the path God calls us to walk isn’t the one that makes the most sense to those around us.

So, while the film might feel slow or even mundane at times, there’s a richness to it that speaks to the complexity of life and the quiet, often overlooked work of God in the ordinary moments.