Happy Land

The narrative moves from the post-World War I era, when Hartfield residents return home and start families, to the late 1930s/early 1940s as global conflict approaches. Flashbacks cover Rusty’s childhood and adolescence, while the present timeline reaches the WWII era, including the invasion of Poland and Rusty’s Navy service and death.

Hartfield is a small-town setting in Iowa where Lew Marsh runs a local pharmacy. The town feels intimate and close-knit, with neighbors who know each other and share in the pain and celebrations of daily life. Its ordinary streets and storefronts provide the backdrop for a memory-filled drama about family, loss, and perseverance.

💔 Grief

The story centers on Lew's struggle with the loss of his son, exploring how grief reshapes a family and community. Gramp's presence reframes sorrow as something to be learned from, rather than endured in isolation.

🏡 Community

Hartfield's close-knit network acts as both a support system and a test when tragedy strikes. The town’s relationships—neighbors, friends, and family—drive the emotional core and show how communal bonds help people cope.

🕰️ Memory

Flashbacks illuminate Rusty’s life from childhood to adulthood, emphasizing how memories preserve the past and influence present decisions. The storytelling blends remembered moments with the present to guide thecharacters.

⚓ War

The film frames Rusty’s life against wartime events, highlighting personal sacrifice and the toll of conflict on a family. It traverses World War I origins to the looming World War II era, underscoring duty, courage, and loss.