It's all smiles for Happy-Go-Lucky
Learning to drive stick shift can certainly elicit a variety of reactions. However, after being taught the three different pedals, one does not generally ask "Oh, is that like the pubic triangle?" This and other laughably vulgar lines are prominent in Mike Leigh's new film Happy-Go-Lucky.
Leigh, an Academy Award-nominated director, veers from his previous, less laugh-out-loud films, such as Vera Drake, with this character-driven comedy.
Poppy (Sally Hawkins), a perpetually smiling Brit, makes her first appearance in the film as she navigates the streets of London on a bicycle with a wire basket perched between the handlebars. Perusing a bookstore soon after, she sees a book titled The Road to Reality and laughs, "Don't want to be goin' there." This choice to focus on positivity is a recurring theme in the film.
Poppy is a whimsical primary school teacher whose daily form of exercise is jumping on trampolines. Dressed in clunky jewelry, layered clothing and the ever-present and problematic cowboy boots, Poppy traipses around London without appearing to have a care in the world. The only thing she does seem to care about is making sure that everyone around her is enjoying life.
In the beginning, audiences may scoff at Poppy's "just shrug it off" attitude. When her bike is stolen, she looks sad for half a second before chirping, "We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye!" However, it is an inexorable fact that within the first 20 minutes of the film, viewers will be won over by Hawkins's rarely fading smile and expert comedic delivery.
Although Hawkins's portrayal of Poppy is the highlight of the two-hour film, the supporting actors have neither lack of depth nor scarcity of witty lines. Poppy's endearingly sullen sister, Suzy (Kate O'Flynn), delivers deadpan humor alongside Alexis Zegerman, who plays Poppy's roommate, Zoe.
Eddie Marsan's Scott, Poppy's driving instructor, is among the most humorous of the characters. His surly attitude serves as a foil to Poppy's personality and as such, the two deliver some of the more entertaining banter of the film.
Leigh, an Academy Award-nominated director, veers from his previous, less laugh-out-loud films, such as Vera Drake, with this character-driven comedy.
Poppy (Sally Hawkins), a perpetually smiling Brit, makes her first appearance in the film as she navigates the streets of London on a bicycle with a wire basket perched between the handlebars. Perusing a bookstore soon after, she sees a book titled The Road to Reality and laughs, "Don't want to be goin' there." This choice to focus on positivity is a recurring theme in the film.
Poppy is a whimsical primary school teacher whose daily form of exercise is jumping on trampolines. Dressed in clunky jewelry, layered clothing and the ever-present and problematic cowboy boots, Poppy traipses around London without appearing to have a care in the world. The only thing she does seem to care about is making sure that everyone around her is enjoying life.
In the beginning, audiences may scoff at Poppy's "just shrug it off" attitude. When her bike is stolen, she looks sad for half a second before chirping, "We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye!" However, it is an inexorable fact that within the first 20 minutes of the film, viewers will be won over by Hawkins's rarely fading smile and expert comedic delivery.
Although Hawkins's portrayal of Poppy is the highlight of the two-hour film, the supporting actors have neither lack of depth nor scarcity of witty lines. Poppy's endearingly sullen sister, Suzy (Kate O'Flynn), delivers deadpan humor alongside Alexis Zegerman, who plays Poppy's roommate, Zoe.
Eddie Marsan's Scott, Poppy's driving instructor, is among the most humorous of the characters. His surly attitude serves as a foil to Poppy's personality and as such, the two deliver some of the more entertaining banter of the film.
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