Hidden Gems: Happy Go Lucky

27 January 2009

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We continue to look at those hidden gems of cinema today, those small movies that come along every once in a while and just make you smile. And no movie has done that more this year than Happy Go Lucky.

Directed by Mike Leigh and starring Sally Hawkins the film was virtually ignored when it was released in the UK, it has however taken the US by storm after lighting up the festival circuit late last year.

Happy Go Lucky is a departure from Leigh's dark and dreary movie topics instead taking a look at the lighter and more upbeat side of life through the eyes of leading character Poppy.

Sally Hawkins stars as Poppy, an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious and often the most elusive of all human qualities: happiness.

Poppy's ability to maintain her perspective is tested as the story begins and her commuter bike is stolen. However, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan), who turns out to be her nemesis... a fuming, uptight cynic.

As the tension of their weekly lessons builds, Poppy encounters even more challenges to her positive state of mind: a fiery flamenco instructor, her bitter pregnant sister, a troubled homeless man and a young bully in her class, not to mention that she has also thrown out her back.

How this affects not only Poppy's world view but also the outlook of those around her begs the question "glass half full or half empty"?

What is so great about this film is nothing remarkable actually happens to Poppy during the course of the movie but it's her boundless energy and positive look at life that makes this character so likeably and this film so up beat.

There's a lack of a central plot but this doesn't, in any way, damage the movie as Poppy's boundless good cheer and childlike delight make her smallest endeavours incredibly engaging.

Hawkins is excellent as the upbeat Poppy and this role looks set to propel the actress to stardom, a string of awards has come her away including a Golden Globe.

Leigh has produced a fascinating character study as Hawkins strikes the right chord between being upbeat without ever being over the top of obnoxious.

Happy Go Lucky is a whip smart comedy that is full of fun and surprises and you never know which was y it's going to go. The film deserves all of the attention that it's getting in the US and I would love to see this success replicated here in the UK.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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