The Reviewer Gets "Happy-Go-Lucky"

After watching Happy Go Lucky, I can’t help but say to myself that Mike Leigh has done it again. Mike Leigh time after time gives us films that leave indelible impressions in one form or another. Happy Go Lucky is a character piece about a seemingly devil may care, absent minded gal named Poppy, who never stops talking, is always smiling and joking around and you are feeling like this women just has no clue. She’s adorable but that’s all. That’s the genius of Mike Leigh. The film takes a while to ramp up, but we are all coming along for the ride with Poppy and we can’t help falling in live with her. The character reminds me of a female Ricky Gervais in overdrive. She is played by Sally Hawkins, who won the Golden Globe for her stunning performance. I really enjoyed watching her work. However, what we don’t realize is that as we see Poppy’s journey, we also see how compassionate, wise, joyous and balanced she really is. She is a Laughing Buddha.
One of the center pieces in the film is her relationship with her driver’s education instructor, Scott. Played creepily well by Eddie Marsan. Their scenes together as he teaches her to drive are both weird and funny. He is ultra serious, opinionated, a total curmudgeon with a paranoid streak and he just makes Poppy want to help him, like she does with everyone she encounters. She wants to make everyone happy. There is a poignant scene with a homeless man that is lyrical to watch and epitomizes the depth of Poppy. All of the acting in the film is well done and relaxed. Everyone feels real and the chemistry is definitely palpable. Especially between Poppy and her longtime roommate, Zoe played by Alexis Zegerman who also looks out for Poppy and she is endearing.
Happy Go Lucky is a film that sneaks up on you. Not much happens through the first half of the film as we are slowly being introduced to this ball of nice named Poppy. I was excited to learn that the scenes between Poppy and Scott were largely improvised and it shows, in a very good way. Happy Go Lucky may not be Mike Leigh’s best film, but the character of Poppy is certainly going to be his most beloved. Give it a try and you will not soon forget her. I give Happy Go Lucky 3 out of 5 stars and is out now on Blu Ray and DVD.