Well known for his sober, bleak works (think Vera Drake and Naked), master and veteran English director Mike Leigh cranks up the positive with Happy-Go-Lucky; a tale spun from the creative, caring and cheerful life of Poppy (Sally Hawkins, last seen briefly in The Painted Veil).
A thirty-something primary school teacher, single and living with her best friends in London, Poppy is a glass three quarters full kind of gal – loves the children she teaches, likes a dance, cares for her younger sister, takes flamenco and trampoline lessons. You know the type. The film – an observational comedy – follows Poppy as her optimism is tested by life, by an awkward romance with a work mate, and most hilariously by a friendship with her driving tutor Scott (Eddie Marsden). Scott is Poppy’s opposite – an angry, fiery fusspot who treats her lessons very seriously.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
Like a breath of fresh air, this low-key, funny and sharply observed comedy/drama sparkles with life. Though it wanders off course from time to time, director Mike Leigh weaves a laidback yet compelling charm, and showcases two of the finest, most natural performances in ages.
Poppy is a wonderful character - a thirty something primary school teacher driven by a sunny outlook (a rare treat, in these crazy hazy cynical times) - nailed by Sally Hawkins’ brave delivery. She doesn’t shy away from the fact (perhaps a sad one) that a lot of people find such bubbly-ness annoying as hell, nor do you perceive a naivety. It ain’t easy being happy, and Poppy is endearing and admirable for trying.
Aside from the odd performance that fails to match Hawkins, overall the support cast are fantastic – most notably Zegerman as best friend Zoe and Riseborough as little sister Dawn. But it’s only with Eddie Marsan, playing driving instructor Scott, that Hawkins really meets her match. Scott is her opposite – bitter, serious, conspiracy theorist, and barely able to suppress his spite. Their bickering is brilliant and nearly non-stop. Scott rules the lesson with an iron fist, trying to enforce ridiculous methods and insisting Poppy take the task seriously. Poppy isn’t willing to for his benefit, perhaps hopeful that he will lighten up. These scenes are hilarious; it’s the most memorable pairing in any film this year.
We are presented not with an over-arching plot, but rather character driven vignettes circling Poppy and her life in North London. A film without the pressing of a hard narrative can easily flounder, but Leigh relishes it. He engages the audience instead by making the characters so particular and truthful that one can’t help but be interested in their fortunes. This is rare and, when done as well as it is here, is a refreshing change from the norm.
Leigh is giving the film room to breathe. Some viewers may find it too loose, but combined with the film’s gentle message and the crackling chemistry of the leads, this is Happy-Go-Lucky’s allure.
By Paul Scantlebury, Flicks.co.nz
Didn't think it was possible to make a movie this bad. ...
Quite good. sold performances.a bit of a change.
All you folk who gave this movie one star need to stick to seeing Will Smith 'blockbusters' as movies like this are not for you! My husband and I and our 12 year old son really enjoyed this. We thought it was very funny. In fact I'm going again with a friend tomorrow. Not quite up there with 'Secrets and Lies' possibly, but a good Mike Leigh movie nonetheless.
There are probably people like the lead of this rather patchy comedy in real life . . . Probably after being released into ciommunity care; If there was ever a person who viewed the world witha false sense of optimism it was this woman. Admittedly, those around here are equally bad in their own ways, and some of the optimism she spews outtward like a wayward fountian would improve them, but the flim fails to show that with any depth. Add to this some telegraphed jokes, contrived situations and typically ropy CGI effects and you have a comdely that has only one redeeming feature; No Americans, and especially no Eddie Murphy.
Saw this with my dad last night and it is a warm/funny human interest story. Intriguing scenes with the driving instructer and Poppy's flatmate/friends. I would easily see again with a drink and some other people
Anyone who saw the magnificent, but magnificently depressing Vera Drake might be bracing themselves for another Mike Leigh downer – but Happy-Go-Lucky is anything but. The director's new film is a charming character study starring Sally Hawkins as a quirky, chirpy primary school teacher, Poppy, who delights in teasing her new driving instructor and living life to the full. An improvisational comedy drama, it's very funny and establishes Hawkins as a major talent to watch.
There's some great natural-feeling, seamless acting here, which may be down to the intensive rehearsal period Leigh favours. After numerous over-processed sugar-coated Hollywood romantic-comedies, Happy-Go-Lucky has a very real taste that's refreshing.
Mike Leigh draws a bravura performance out of Sally Hawkins, and she in return makes Poppy one of Leigh’s best characters yet - up there with the likes of Vera Drake or Beverly from Abigail’s Party.
As breezy as the title suggests, the film is about as far as can be imagined from such bleak Leigh classics as "Vera Drake" and "Naked." Spun from the cheerful life of its central character -- a smart, confident, goofball primary school teacher named Poppy (Hawkins) -- the film shares her optimism without being at all syrupy or sentimental. Hawkins, who starred to great effect in a recent British television remake of Jane Austen's "Persuasion," is a marvel with her urchin looks and irresistible smile. She makes Poppy unforgettable.
A couple of hours in Poppy's company will deal to the most stubborn case of the winter blues. "You can't please everybody," Zoe tells her, but she's not listening. "There's no harm in trying," she replies.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 29th May 2008.
Release date: May 29th 2008.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
