Another hit from Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Happy-Go-Lucky (DVD)
Date:	07/07/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great performances and characters

Disadvantages: Poppy is a bit irritating after a while

One of the more minor, lesser known films of 2008 was Happy-Go-Lucky, the latest outing from famed director Mike Leigh. The film recieved much critical praise, particularly for its central performance from Sally Hawkins, that strangely wasn't nominated for an Academy Award earlier this year. Nevertheless, this is a great film that's entertaining but also has a profound message at its core.

Thirty years old and single, school teacher Poppy Cross (Hawkins) shares a London flat with her best friend. When her bycicle is stolen, she decides to finally learn to drive, where she meets emotionally repressed, ever negative and cynical instructor Scott (performed superbly by Eddie Marsan), who suffers from anger management issues, and frequently spouts his racist, misogynistic views to Poppy whilst teaching her to drive. She opposes Scott - her attitude to life is very optimistic, almost irrepressibly so - she appears to find good in everything, something that Scott finds dumbfounding, and also highly irritating.

This could very well have been a light and fluffy comedy of no substance, because it would have been very easy for Poppy to become a two dimensional caricature, however, she's depicted not as naive as one might expect, but informed. She knowingly takes a positive outlook on life, and there's a lot to say for that when you compare her to Scott, whose outlook arguably informs his anger - were his outlook a little more positive, then maybe this self fulfilling prophecy would not occur.

Happy-Go-Lucky benefits greatly from Sally Hawkins' performance as sickeningly sweet Poppy, and Eddie Marsan's diametrically opposed turn also succeeds. At almost two hours, Mike Leigh's latest film perhaps meanders here and there, yet provides some important and highly satisfying character development in the closing scenes.

Summary: A well crafted drama