Writer/Director: Mike Leigh
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsan and Alexis Zegerman
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses have created a legacy as strong as Sally Hawkins. Since her rise toward stardom in the 1990’s, Hawkins has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s mute women that fall in love with creatures, Canadian painters or teachers, Hawkins has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Hawkins’ strength as an actress is her commitment. She is one of those actresses that has often poured her heart and soul into each and every role. Hawkins is never afraid of taking risks in her career by depicting complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Through her willingness to take on risky roles that require extensive research, Hawkins has become an actress audiences value. A British icon that has proven she can accomplish any movie, Hawkins has become an actress which audiences cherish. Showing a strong sense of commitment, she has become an icon in the world of entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, Hawkins has appeared in many strong movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hawkins and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Happy Go Lucky” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2008, Mike Leigh’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Sally Hawkins, who embodies a joyous woman with a love for engaging in hobbies. Ultimately, what makes “Happy Go Lucky” a masterpiece is its bold message. The film delivers a strong message about the importance of finding happiness in life which will resonate with everyone. A bold masterpiece about optimistic women, there’s many strong reasons why “Happy Go Lucky” is worth seeing.
Set in Britain, “Happy Go Lucky” tells the story of a young woman with an optimistic attitude to her life. Sally Hawkins plays Poppy Cross, an optimistic woman with a positive attitude towards life. Poppy has always looked at the life from a positive perspective. However, her positive attitude towards life is tested when she begins annoying people causing disaster. Poppy’s happy go lucky attitude towards life starts to rub her driving instructor Scott (Eddie Marsan) in the wrong way. Faced with a tense dilemma, Poppy begins to question whether she can ever achieve happiness in a life that causes dilemma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Poppy begins to wonder if she can ever achieve happiness that causes disaster. Adopting a positive mood, Poppy is determined to make most out of her life which she has always valued.
Mike Leigh is fascinated with the lives of British women. A terrific British filmmaker, Leigh has often excelled at making movies about lives of women facing all odds against their favour. His award-winning movie “Vera Drake” captured a life of a renowned feminist author which seeks recognition. With “Happy-Go-Lucky”, however, the filmmaker created his first movie about the lives of optimistic women. It was the director‘s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by women with positive attitudes but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, Leigh captures a woman’s journey to discover her identity. Visually, the movie is an engaging feast for the eyes. Leigh deftly uses montages to capture the lives of women with a positive perspective in life. For instance, the montages elevate the opening scene. During this bright scene, Poppy enjoys visiting a local store that holds precious clothes. One appreciates bold montages capturing the lives of girls that have optimistic point of views. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” claimed clearly, montages elevate fantasy epics. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through bold visuals, Leigh captures the hardships women are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Happy Go Lucky” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Leigh expertly stages scenes showcasing a woman that struggles learning the process of driving. For instance, the production-design of cars enhances the driving lesson scene. During this memorable scene, Poppy has a bad driving lesson with a frustrated instructor. One appreciates the set design of cars capturing the lives of women which face a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Gary Yershon’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a warm atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that women with a positive life perspective bear. Through bold production, Leigh captures the tension faced by happy go lucky women.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Happy Go Lucky” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses tragicomedy to capture tension faced by optimistic women. At times, the film is funny especially in scenes where Poppy seeks to demonstrate positive attitude in her driving lessons. However, at the same time, the film is also solemn especially in scenes where Poppy discovers the harsh abuse faced by children in her school. Through combining tragedy with comedy, Leigh creates a portrait of a happy go lucky woman there compelling. Tragicomedy id a tricky technique to use in movies. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” claimed, tragicomedy enhances movies about Bipolar disorder. Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” did suggest tragicomedy enhances movies about depression. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Leigh captures tensions faced by women that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Sally Hawkins delivers one of her best career performances as Poppy. Hawkins achieved appreciation for playing mute women which fall in love with creatures in fantastic fantasy movies. With “Happy Go Lucky”, however, the actress took on her most challenging role. It isn’t simple to portray an optimistic woman which endured tragedy but she pulled it off successfully. Hawkins has spent most of her career playing serious women in dramas. With “Happy Go Lucky”, the actress showcases rare flair for comedy which audiences hadn’t seen before. Through strong expressions, Hawkins captures the angst, joy and optimistic attitude of a woman seeking to find her identity. It’s a powerful performance from one of the greatest actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Sally Hawkins, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Eddie Marsan is excellent, bringing authority towards a driving instructor that is easily frustrated by people which can’t operate cars successfully. Alexis Zegerman is amazing, bringing feelings of compassion to a Poppy’s flatmate that’s a companion. Finally, Sylvestra Le Touzel merits appreciation. As a dance instructor, she brings emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Happy Go Lucky” will earn the praise of everyone for capturing the lives of women with positivity. Unlike most movies about lives of optimistic women, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and grief which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be British to appreciate themes of the movie. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in life which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Happy Go Lucky” is one of those rare movies about women which everyone would adore.
Fans of Sally Hawkins will definitely appreciate “Happy Go Lucky” and so will moviegoers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating classic about optimistic women, it celebrates an actress that is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking comedy about women adopting a positive life perspective to cope with obstacles that are challenging, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy making engaging movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 