Happy-Go-Lucky

Mike Leigh
2008

Regardless of whether you like the movie or not, you've got to be something of a gargoyle if you don't derive at least a little pleasure from Mike Leigh's latest and most cheerful film. This low-conflict character study should be required viewing for all film school students just itching to shoot shorts about hitmen, drug dealers, drug addicts, girls with anorexia, girls who commit suicide, and gangsters (all from the unlikely location of a dorm room). "Happy-Go-Lucky" examines elementary school teacher Poppy (effortlessly and effervescently played by Sally Hawkins) as she navigates relationships with her roommate, sisters, co-workers, and Scott, an emotionally damaged driving instructor. Poppy's perpetually sunny attitude is no escapist impulse, but is instead a brave strategy for dealing with life's many burdens. After all, she confronts the world's ugliness head on when dealing with a violent student, approaching a mentally disturbed vagrant, and in managing Scott's enraged meltdown. It's easy for a character this extreme to become a parody of herself, but Leigh maintains a firm hand in keeping things firmly rooted in reality. I was also pleased to find that the picture is more of a comedy than anything else, with it's fair share of outright gags, and by saturating Poppy's cheeky banter with plenty of sexual innuendo. One of 2008's best.