Get Out More...........................................Film Review

HAPPY GO LUCKY

20-05-2008

Mike Leigh’s attempt to make a deliberately upbeat movie has had mixed reviews in this country, but fared rather better abroad. Are we missing a classic in our midst, wonders Paula Elenor?

Happy Go-Lucky had a great reception on the continent and I can see why. With its minute observation of relationships in a very specific social milieu, it feels more European rather than British.

Is this the ultimate feel-good movie? It could be. The central character, Poppy, a London primary school teacher (Sally Hawkins) is scarily good-humoured and optimistic in the face of life’s set-backs - a stolen bike, a bad back, an emotionally- wired flamenco teacher. Oh, and a psychotic driving instructor!

At first we are not sure whether to be annoyed, cheered or unnerved by Poppy’s jokes and apparent refusal to take anything seriously.

However, this is a Mike Leigh film. We have come to expect actor-led explorations of character and situation based on observation that make us laugh and sometimes cringe and this is exactly what we get. There are some truly funny and rather bizarre moments.

I, for one, am very keen to start flamenco classes; if this film is anything to go by, they are very cathartic!

But, true to Mike Leigh form, the comedy underscores a more painful reality. We are quite surprised to discover that Poppy is 30; she is, in fact, a very shrewd and competent teacher able to intervene sensitively and effectively when she suspects one of her pupils of being physically and emotionally abused.

We wonder about her own family background, suggested through her relationship with her sisters. Is she herself a survivor of abuse? Her relentless good humour is a coping mechanism as is her desire to be unencumbered with a mortgage and responsibility.

Without giving too much away, there is a moment when you wonder whether her cheery self-assurance will be enough to protect her in a world full of frightened, insecure people.

The ending of the film was finely judged, and, yes, you did feel good. However, you also felt like the central characters, that life can sometimes be a bit too hairy at times and that you really shouldn’t take the good things – such as friendship – for granted.

A feel-good film? Yes, with one proviso. The person responsible for the music should be shot!

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