Review of Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) by Justin F — 05 Nov 2012

Unusually for Mike Leigh, this is an attempt at looking on the bright side of life. However, in typical fashion we cant be too happy and luvvey duvvey for too long as a dose of reality is introduced to give the story some legitimacy. Despite this, the film does have some very interesting things to say particularly about peer pressure and conformity and how some people actually see positiveness as a threat instead of a strength. Maybe Leigh is suggesting that this says more about society than the individual? I also like how the main character is criminally underestimated because of her casual manner and outlook on life as this is the way life can be in my experience.

Poppy is a primary school teacher who has an unusually positive attitude to life and flatly refuses to let the everyday grind get her down. So much so that the majority of people she comes across find this overbearing and suffocating? Except that is for those who know her and accept her quirky (and often very annoying) ways for what they are. She is single and lives with her long term flatmate who is also a teacher. She decides to take driving lessons after her bike is stolen and her driving instructor Scott (Marsan) is the complete opposite in that he is one of the most negative, paranoid people in existence. There are initial clashes as Scott is a serious man and lets just say that Poppy doesnt do serious very well. The relationship between the two forms the basis of the story. It soon becomes obvious to Scott that there is more to Poppy than meets the eye (of which she is also very easy on) and so they learn a little more about each others lives with each lesson.

Hawkins is very good in the role and I would say that the beginning of the film is hard going at first. This is because I found Poppy just a little too sickly sweet for my taste. But as the story progresses the character does become a little easier to take and your perseverance is rewarded with a character who is everything I would want a friend to be? Always positive and upbeat, loving and caring and also knowing when to be serious and how to deal with difficult situations which is none more so highlighted by what she deals with in her classroom? Marsan (Scott) is always good in whatever roles he plays and you cannot but help feel a little sorry for his predicament and his subsequent anger with the world (but not too much).

The chances are that (like myself) you will probably know a Poppy and ill bet that person is in all likelihood derided just as she is in this story? What I would say is that if you do, accept them for what they are as trust me when I say that there is nowhere near enough of them? Kindness is a strength not a weakness. **Gets off soapbox**.