Review of Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) by Jon C — 05 May 2011

I always felt that Mike Leigh was incapable of making a bad movie. Now I'm beginning to suspect that he can only make great ones. This is another fine example; a study of loneliness disguised as a comedy.

Sally Hawkins play the lead, Poppy, and is one of those people who are (or at least pretend to be) constantly happy. Just as she's becoming insufferable, Leigh adds a layer of pathos that deepens her character and the overall experience of the film.

As usual, Leigh's cast is superb, with Eddie Marsan standing out as the Poppy's crazy driving instructor. It's really their relationship that is the center of the film. Terrific stuff.