“Happy-Go-Lucky”

“Happy-Go-Lucky”
Opens: Oct. 10, 2008 -Limited-(originally opened in the UK April 18th)
Director: Mike Leigh
MPAA: R
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Alexis Zegerman, Eddie Marsan

I was super excited to see “Happy-Go-Lucky” Wed. night at Seattle’s Siff theater with special guest, director Mike Leigh.
The movie was really great and Leigh stuck around for a Q&A at the end.
“Happy-Go-Lucky” has a wonderful organic feeling. Leigh explained how his creative process allows for this. He starts with an idea and then works with actors for around 3-6 months developing characters, intensively researching his ideas, and scripting the movie. Only when filming begins does he have a clear precise idea of what he will be shooting. He also says his filming is highly organized but the development period is not, which allows the actors to develop the characters freely.
“Happy-Go-Lucky” is the story of a “generous,” “caring,” and “open” school teacher named Poppy. Leigh goes on to describe Poppy as also having a healthy dose of “anarchy.” The movie is just about the everyday occurences in her happy-go-lucky life.
Poppy is 30yrs. old, single and living in northern London, which also seems to be the status of all her fellow friends. She has had the same flat-mate Zoe (Alexis Zegerman) for ten years. They with a crowd of others party on the weekends (very 80’s style…I might add) but hold responsible jobs during the week.

At the very beginning of the movie, Poppy has her bike stolen while shopping in London. This is one of the events that propels the movie forward. Poppy decides that it might be time to learn to drive and buy a car. She hires driving instructor, Scott (Eddie Marsan) for lessons every Saturday at noon.
Scott (Eddie Marsan) is a wonderfully rich character. He is one angry man who displays racism, paranoia, and fits of rage. He finds himself falling in love with Poppy which leads to the end of their lessons. Amazingly Poppy is able to relate to just about everyone and is able to calmly defuse just about any situation.
Because of a title like “Happy-Go-Lucky” you might be inclined to think the characters are fluffy and overly acted, but the case is the exact opposite.
Poppy is very adventurous in her choices. Having always wanted to take up Flameco dancing, she joins a colleague at her weekly class (after Poppy strains her back during her weekly trampoline sessions). Flamenco instructor (Karina Fernandez) is amazing as she explains the passionate history behind “Flamenco.” Fernandez left me awestruck as the instructor and with this being her only acting film credit (IMDB) it shows her amazing skill.
Poppy and sister, Alice, go to visit their younger sister Helen who lives out in the suburbs. Dir. Leigh describes Helen as caught up in the bourgeois fantasy that living in the suburbs is what responsible people do and aspire to. Poppy however is happy and responsible with her life choices.
Through circumstances with one of her troubled pupils, Poppy meets Tim (Samuel Roukin) a nice social worker. They have a wonderful, witty repoire which leads to a budding romance. As a viewer, I am glad to see Poppy end up with a nice normal man whom is very similar to Poppy. Leigh eloborated that if Poppy and Tim were to end up being married and possibly one day having children of their own that they would no doubt make wonderful parents.

There really is no big issue to resolve through out the movie. Poppy’s singleness is apparent but not really the central theme of the movie. Also, not any one relationship overshadows the others. Even the relationship with Scott(the driving instructor) isn’t the main focus in the film.
I guess Poppy’s unconventional choices is the main study of “Happy-Go-Lucky.” She is fearless and many times your senses are assalted.

Happy-Go-Lucky is so much more than your average chick flick. In fact, it might not be a chick flick at all. I have learned that previews for movies are sometimes misleading in their attempts to narrow a film into a particular genre. This is the impression I got from “Happy-Go-Lucky.”
If “Happy-Go-Lucky” doesn’t come to a theatre near you then make sure you catch it on Dvd.

La Femme Reel- The Chick Flick Dossier

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