Happy-Go-Lucky
by
Howard Schumann
Often people look for “things” to make them
happy - a vacation, the latest model car, new clothes, or that special
relationship. Many are afraid of happiness, however, or think they don’t
deserve it. They think that too much good news has to be a lie. Mike
Leigh, however, in his latest film Happy-Go-Lucky,
asks whether happiness is a function of being, a quality that you bring
to your life, rather than something that is new, better, or different.
30-year-old
Poppy (Sally Hawkins) is an optimistic primary school teacher who wants
everyone to be happy and is relentless in pursuing her goal, even to
the point of being downright annoying. The film opens with Poppy weaving
through the streets of London on her bike, spreading her smile to those
who care to notice and waving to people who do not. She carries her
playful energy into a London bookstore. Attempting to share her high
energy with a non-communicative clerk, Poppy comes off as a bit overbearing
when he refuses to take the bait. Upon leaving the store, she discovers
that her bike has been stolen, but instead of cursing the perpetrators,
she shrugs it off, saying only that she regretted not having the chance
to say a proper goodbye to her bike.
Poppy has reason to be happy. She lives with Zoe (Alexis
Zegerman), a fellow teacher whom she has known for ten years, and they
are close, taking flamenco lessons together and sharing time with Poppy’s
younger sister Suzy (Kate O'Flynn), living an open lifestyle as contrasted
with her older sister and her nerdy husband going through the motions
in suburbia.
As we get to know
Poppy, we discover that beneath her bubbly enthusiasm, there is a three-dimensional
woman with a heart who understands how people tick. When a bullying
young boy at her school is unable to verbally express what is making
him angry, with the help of a school social worker (Samuel Roukin) with
whom she develops a sweet relationship, she is able to penetrate the
boy’s defenses and discover his mistreatment at home. She is even
willing to laugh through the pain of having her back cracked by a chiropractor.
Although her
judgment in this instance might be questioned, Poppy is willing to spend
time listening to a barely coherent homeless man when common sense might
have told her the situation was potentially dangerous. Though scary,
it is a life affirming moment that lifts the film to another level.
Her main challenge, however, is her controlling and xenophobic driving
instructor Scott (Eddie Marsan), who barely hides his bitter racism
while railing against the “inappropriate” boots she wears
and the youngsters driving by on their bikes. Although Poppy’s
insight does not extend to the recognition that the anger she is encountering
may indeed be her own, she is a calm and sympathetic listener whose
selflessness allows Scott to feel heard.
Happy-Go-Lucky
is more of a slice-of-life character study than a film with a coherent
narrative, yet it is a rich and rewarding experience that sparkles with
genuine emotion and intelligence. Compared to many of Mike Leigh’s
films about down and outers (Secrets and Lies, Vera Drake),
Happy-Go-Lucky is downright bubbly, but there are also dark
overtones that remind us of the lonely space that people are experiencing
in today’s rapidly changing world. Sally Hawkins makes you believe
not only Poppy's goodness, but in the idea that we can truly relate
to each other in a way that makes us more deeply connected. When asked
about her reaching out to others, Poppy simply replies “That’s
what mates do.” Life can be so simple.
©2008 Howard Schumann
CineScene
