One of Mike Leigh's most charming pictures in years, this portrait of a woman who always looks on the bright side of things proves to be wonderfully life-affirming despite some dark moments. The titular “happy-go-lucky” is Poppy (Sally Hawkins), a grammar-school teacher who is deeply attached to her young charges and supportive of her friends and family. A Pollyanna figure spreading sunshine wherever she goes, Poppy simply refuses to be deterred by setbacks. When her bike is stolen, for example, she shrugs off the loss and signs up for driving lessons with an angry, embittered instructor (Eddie Marsan), and then naturally tries to raise his spirits. A Candide-like quality adheres to Poppy's episodic adventures, some of which are deliciously off-the-wall, such as flamenco lessons with a hard-nosed Spanish teacher who challenges her reserved British students to show some heat and attitude. Most of Poppy's encounters, however, are a mix of sweet and sour, such as her concern for a troubled student, which leads to a romance with a dedicated social worker. Happy-Go-Lucky could be criticized for meandering as much as its heroine, but it's a consistently engaging film, perfectly anchored by Hawkins, who keeps Poppy from descending into either comic caricature or teary treacle. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Mike Leigh, a 28-minute “Happy in Character” production featurette, a five-minute “Behind the Wheel” behind-the-scenes featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning film.] (F. Swietek)
Happy-Go-Lucky
Miramax, 119 min., R, DVD: $29.99, Mar. 10 Volume 24, Issue 2
Happy-Go-Lucky
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