Happy Go Lucky

Star Review

Happy-Go-Lucky is a portrait of Poppy, a young woman with a cheerful disposition who sees the good in everyone, no matter how deeply hidden beneath negativity and cynicism this is. A schoolteacher, whose mission in life is to infect all she meets with her own sunny sense of contentment, Poppy is an average girl with a big heart.

This is an unusual film for Mike Leigh whose stock-in-trade is telling the stories of working class people dealing with pain and inescapably tough circumstances. Instead this is an antidote to the miserable realities of the daily grind, shot in a delightfully sunlit and inviting London.

You might think that someone brimming over with such unqualified happiness sounds implausible at best and an irritation at worst. But in the context, it works. Her tirelessly optimistic outlook is inspiring and refreshing rather than saccharine and unworkable. The naturalistic direction and convincing performances ensure the film isn’t coated in a sugary glow – it’s all very real and engaging.

Although Poppy’s approach to life borders on naive and she is never directly challenged by difficult events during the course of the film, there is enough grit in the plot to save her from condemnation. An encounter with a traumatised tramp is particularly moving – the empathy and pain she experiences at seeing a man so irrevocably broken reveals her capacity to understand and face the darker realities of life. Equally, her handling of the difficult and deeply scarred driving instructor reveals her attitude does not preclude perceptiveness or prevent her from responding to others’ pain.

The dialogue is beautifully written; it’s light and effortless with a large dose of intelligent and charming wit. This is a film with enormous amounts of personality. It conveys an important and thought-provoking message in an agreeably buoyant combination of humour and humility. We're asked to question the way we lead our own lives, but it’s a gentle poke rather than a sanctimonious judgement. Happy-Go-Lucky will remind you just how wonderful life can be.

Claudia Gonella on 14th August 2008

View all 3 of Claudia Gonella’s reviews

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Film Description

Mike Leigh's infectiously entertaining and highly-acclaimed comedy about Poppy, a North London primary school teacher with a bright outlook on life. She loves her job, she loves her friends, and she loves her freedom. The film follows her over a few weeks one spring as she learns to drive and embarks on a new romance.

An antidote to the miserable realities of the daily grind, shot in a delightfully sunlit and inviting London.

[ Show Star Review ]

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DVD Extras

• Mike Leigh’s Characters
• Behind the Wheel: Making-of
• Trailer

Film Details

Cast

Sally Hawkins, Alexis Zegerman

Technical Details