Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

The ninth film to be featured on my blog is 2008's HAPPY-GO-LUCKY directed by Mike Leigh. The film stars Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan.

Sally Hawkins stars as Poppy, a joyful primary school teacher. The film follows her everyday journey to inspire happiness in others. Her performance is a luminescent one. Some find her grating and I think that's part of the character. She's so earnest and she means well, but she is essentially blind to the fact that perhaps happiness isn't so easy to share or cultivate.

Still she ushers in joy for many children. The film explores the fundamental need to have fun in life even when things are slipping into the shadows. She creates an atmosphere of absolute elation for her students. The film is quite a similar atmosphere. Leigh has crafted a carefree, fun-filled world that does represent our world, but through the eyes of an optimistic woman.

The central relationship of the film is between Poppy and her driving instructor Scott, played to perfection by Eddie Marsan. Scott is in most ways Poppy's complete opposite and yet the film follows their time together with a certain fondness. It isn't poking fun at Scott, but trying to understand his perspective in relation to Poppy's idealistic world.

The humor in Leigh's film is on point and doesn't disappoint. Where Vera Drake was tremendously dark, Happy-Go-Lucky basks in light, spontaneous humor. Leigh's strength relies on the improvised feel of his films and when done correctly, it feels completely real.

Sally Hawkins is a revelation akin to Amy Adams' performance in Junebug. Hawkins' Poppy observes the world almost as if through children's eyes. Laughing and joking with the idea of living in a world of adults, Poppy is a vibrant personality. Someone who held on to her childhood optimism with great conviction.

However, Poppy is an adult and she is responsible despite her joking tendencies. She tries to foster an environment separate from the world of violence and video games in her classroom and in spite of her effort, she can't shut everything bad out.

This film would best be summed up in a single word: Charming. It helps that Sally Hawkins creates one of the more charming characters ever committed to celluloid. She is a woman you root for and one you cheer for when she gets what she wants. The dialogue is whimsical to the point where it makes me smile too much.

That said, the final scene between Poppy and Scott is a brilliantly sharp change in tone. Poppy's world is overpowered by Scott's rage and hate-filled universe. She is forced to confront the ugliness in the world, but also to confront her accountability for her carefree antics. It's an intense scene, brilliantly performed and shot. I whole-heartedly recommend this film to anyone who has an interest in enjoying themselves.