Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

3.0

DRAMA
U.S. Release Date: 10/10/08
Running Length: 118 Minutes
MPAA Classification: R (Profanity)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Cast: Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsan, Alexis Zegerman, Samuel Roukin
Director: Mike Leigh
Screenplay: Mike Leigh
Cinematography: Dick Pope
Music: Gary Yershon
U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films

Review by: Carter Moulton

01/11/09

The beginning of winter is usually when the film industry comes to life. Award-caliber films and blockbusters start screening in hopes of reconciling a lackluster autumn. Pay attention and you’ll notice the start of an annual trend: the emergence of an upbeat independent, out-of-no-where film into the awards race. In 2006 it was Little Miss Sunshine, in 2007 it was Juno, and this year it’s the UK sensation, Happy-Go-Lucky. While it may not receive a nomination for best picture, it’s produced a major contender for best actress in Sally Hawkins.

Photo © Miramax Films

There isn’t a lot going on in Happy-Go-Lucky in terms of narrative. That’s okay, because character study is director Mike Leigh’s (Naked, Topsy-Turvy) specialty. Usually a somewhat morbid filmmaker, Leigh writes a story about the struggle to preserve happiness. Poppy (Hawkins) is the character of study, and she’s an undeniably positive schoolteacher. Her friends and family are light as well, but Leigh surrounds her with an array of personalities. At age thirty, she decides it's time to learn how to drive. Scott (Eddie Marsan, who can also be seen in The Illusionist) is her on-edge and unstable driving instructor. He serves as a contrasting character. He’s a pessimistic control-freak, and his exchanges with Poppy are the most dynamic.

The movie is simple and sweet, dropping Poppy into different settings and circumstances to see how she reacts. She confronts a bully in her classroom, interacts with the principal, and falls in love with a social worker. The film runs a little long at just under two hours because of the absence of a major conflict. Since there isn’t much in terms of story, Happy-Go-Lucky relies on character interactions. Luckily, the script is clever, and the dialogue comes quickly. While fast-paced dialogue is rather engaging to listen to, it sometimes moves too fast. It seems artificial when characters are bouncing paragraphs of witty one-liners back and forth. When the film is in danger of becoming too synthetic, Hawkins steps in and all is well.

It can be argued that Leigh wanted to paint a surrealistic portrait of happiness in order to easily convey his message: even if you try, you can’t be happy all of the time. Don’t get me wrong, Happy-Go-Lucky is an exhaustingly blissful film. Hawkin’s performance will uplift everyone. Even if Leigh thinks that happiness isn’t continuous, he grants Poppy the will maintain it. He sets the forces of life against Poppy, and, in doing so, tests not only her, but us as well. I felt re-energized thanks to Hawkin’s performance, which lifts the film above forgettable.