Happy Go Lucky film review
What an amazing film made with a bunch of nobodys. I mean no disrespect to the actors and actresses, or indeed the guys and girls that created this great movie. Most of the cast aren't exactly in a bunch of holdywood blockbusters so I didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised by a nice story, lots of funny bits and some really good acting. All in all you'll probably be left with a warm fuzzy feeling after watching this movie.
Happy Go Lucky was written and directed by one Mike Leigh, someone I've never heard of before and after a quick look through his previous work nothing jumped out at me as something I could remember let alone recommend. Hat's off to the man though because I'll remember this one.
The start of the film filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia as I recognised certain areas of London that I had either lived in, worked in or passed through. My girlfriend gave a nod towards Notting Hill not long into the film, but as I suspected there was more to this movie than some quaint similarities to a movie we already know and love.
As far as the cast is concered, I thought I recognized Sally Hawkins and at one point would have sworn she was in the recent series of Doctor Who, you know, the one from Personnel who saved the planet. Kind of similar I thought, but alas no... the Internet Movie Database was to prove me wrong yet again!
The film was difficult to judge from the start, kind of a girlie night out one minute and a sad and yet somehow tense drama at the same time. It's a very strange combination and as one person on IMDB said, "it's a movie that will make you smile.", and I definitely can't argue with that.
I won't go into detail about the plot of the film because that would spoil it. There are plenty of films out there with deep, involved and sometimes confusing storylines. This isn't one of them though. Just don't expect too much though. You have to take it as you find it and let the events and situations kind of wash over you - do you think you can handle that?
I must admit to having found her extremely irritating at first
Poppy was in the end quite an endearing character. I must admit to having found her extremely irritating at first but I soon got past this when I discovered there was depth and compassion beneath that scatty, slightly off balance midnight butterfly. She's the kind of girl you just want to take home, but know for sure that you'll regret it three days later or when you're mum and dad come to town.
Poppys driving instructor Scott (played by Eddie Marsan) was one pretty creepy fella. You couldn't help but siliently pray that she'd shut up so this guy wouldn't end up doing something really nasty. I'm glad this bloke wasn't my driving instructor.
Another excellent character stuck out to me was the old tramp (played by Stanley Townsend) that Poppy meets on the way home, ya know, ya know, ya know... (you'll get that if you watch the film!). The dishevelled old man and the unusual interaction with Poppy was played absolutely brilliantly. I remember just watching this part of the film and finding it one one hand hilarious and on the other hand just completely off the wall.
Happy Go Lucky, good film, very entertaining and definitely worth a watch. Hire it out now!