HAPPY GO-LUCKY

Photos courtesy of Miramax Films

A bright-eyed and cheerful school teacher finds the best that life has to offer in writer-director Mike Leigh’s latest, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY.

Poppy is definitely a “glass is half full” type of girl. After visiting a bookstore, Poppy discovers her bicycle has been stolen. Instead of becoming infuriated, angry or even the slight bit perturbed, Poppy shrugs it off and decides to finally get her drivers license. She enrolls at a small-time driving school where she meets Scott, her instructor and the owner of the business. Scott’s worldview is in dark contrast to Poppy’s, and the two exchange a tit-for-tat type relationship during their time in the car.

In today’s cinema, polluted with far too many genre pictures, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY is a breath of fresh air. Leigh, who has brilliantly handled the human condition with such films as SECRETS AND LIES and CAREER GIRLS, does so again examining two very familiar types of individuals, optimists and pessimists.

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY is told through the rose-tinted glasses of Poppy, a very unique, quirky, but all-together lovable character. Poppy is content with her life, she likes her job, loves her flat-mate and enjoys her wild nights out with her sister and friends. Even when difficult situations arise, Poppy sees a glimmering light at the end of the tunnel. These situations help to underline that Poppy is not naïve to the world’s faults, but sees the best in every person, and strives to do the right thing in each circumstance. These moments are realistically and skillfully handled, revealing that some causes may be lost ones.

As deftly written and directed as the film is, Leigh benefits from two of the year’s best performances. Sally Hawkins as Poppy gives a lot of weight to a very tricky role. Poppy could have been a one-trick character, but through Hawkins portrayal, not only is Poppy joyful, but just as importantly compassionate and tender. Eddie Marsan, as the anti-Poppy, gives Scott everything Leigh could have asked for, a cynicism beyond compare, as well as a bitterness and pathetic nature that can’t be matched.

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY is a simple story that wraps itself in complicated yet enriching personal struggles. It’s delicate tackling of these struggles makes for an enlightening and emotionally rewarding picture.

Grade: A