Like a breath of fresh air, this low-key, funny and sharply observed comedy/drama sparkles with life. Though it wanders off course from time to time, director Mike Leigh weaves a laidback yet compelling charm, and showcases two of the finest, most natural performances in ages.
Poppy is a wonderful character – a thirty something primary school teacher driven by a sunny outlook (a rare treat, in these crazy hazy cynical times) – nailed by Sally Hawkins’ brave delivery. She doesn’t shy away from the fact (perhaps a sad one) that a lot of people find such bubbly-ness annoying as hell, nor do you perceive a naivety. It ain’t easy being happy, and Poppy is endearing and admirable for trying.
Aside from the odd performance that fails to match Hawkins, overall the support cast are fantastic – most notably Zegerman as best friend Zoe and Riseborough as little sister Dawn. But it’s only with Eddie Marsan, playing driving instructor Scott, that Hawkins really meets her match. Scott is her opposite – bitter, serious, conspiracy theorist, and barely able to suppress his spite. Their bickering is brilliant and nearly non-stop. Scott rules the lesson with an iron fist, trying to enforce ridiculous methods and insisting Poppy take the task seriously. Poppy isn’t willing to for his benefit, perhaps hopeful that he will lighten up. These scenes are hilarious; it’s the most memorable pairing in any film this year.
We are presented not with an over-arching plot, but rather character driven vignettes circling Poppy and her life in North London. A film without the pressing of a hard narrative can easily flounder, but Leigh relishes it. He engages the audience instead by making the characters so particular and truthful that one can’t help but be interested in their fortunes. This is rare and, when done as well as it is here, is a refreshing change from the norm.
Leigh is giving the film room to breathe. Some viewers may find it too loose, but combined with the film’s gentle message and the crackling chemistry of the leads, this is Happy-Go-Lucky’s allure.
