HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Cast & Crew:
Sally Hawkins… Poppy
Eddie Marsan… Scott
Written & Directed by Mike Leigh

Happy-Go-Lucky is the newest film from director Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies) and it’s the story of Poppy, a perpetually upbeat woman confronting and trying to help the cynical world around her. “You can’t make everybody happy,” a friend remarks. “No harm in trying,” is her optimistic response.

The plot covers several events in Poppy’s life, starting with the theft of her bike. It is an event that doesn’t sour her in the least and she transforms it into an excuse to take driving lessons. Her instructor, Scott, becomes her chief antagonist by being nothing more than Poppy’s exact opposite: a blistering cynic whose quite comfortable hating and fearing the world around him.

Sally Hawkins plays Poppy to perfection and it is a role that has already earned her the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival. It is such an infectious performance that I challenge you to see the film and not fall in love with her. At the very least I expect that she’ll make you smile. I’m reminded of Audrey Tautou’s performance in Amélie. Happy-Go-Lucky is reminiscent of that whimsical film but far more grounded in reality. I expect Hawkins will find herself on the Academy’s shortlist for Best Actress contenders.

Poppy is such a joy that it is easy to overlook the fine work by the film’s supporting cast, namely Eddie Marsan. His take on the character Scott has just as much vibrant life as Sally Hawkin’s Poppy, though his demeanor is at once appalling, frightening and sad. It is a really powerful performance, which is quite something when considering that the bulk of his scenes are within the confines of an automobile.

Mike Leigh proves once again that a film’s best special effects are the performances that bring it to life.

Happy-Go-Lucky is now playing in select theaters.

[rating:4.5/5]