A major goal amongst philosophers is to discern what the most important value in life is. Some say love, others say family or respect, but one thirty-year-old elementary school teacher says happiness.
We find an unlikely philosopher in Poppy, the eternally happy protagonist of “Happy-Go Lucky”, who refuses to be sad or waste time lamenting. The opening scene of “Happy-Go-Lucky” perfectly showcases Poppy’s…. well, “poppy-ness” if you will: She daydreams while gliding down a hill on her bicycle towards a market. She parks, and after dawdling in a bookshop, returns to see that her bike has been stolen. Her reaction? “I didn’t even get to say goodbye”, then continues on with her life. There is something that is simultaneously insightful and joyous about seeing the world through Poppy’s eyes, and the whole experience ends up feeling more like you’re spending time with Poppy rather than seeing her life play out.
Poppy lives in London with her flatmate/best friend Zoë and we see nothing more than an average few weeks of Poppy’s life. It’s a nice relief to not see her inheriting forty billion dollars or falling in love with her sister’s fiancée, but just observing what is essentially a character study and slice into Poppy’s life. Other than the pursuit of happiness, an arching theme is teaching. Poppy is currently dealing with a student with violent tendencies tats too young to know how to talk or channel his anger. Poppy herself has just started taking flamenco lessons with a harsh, obdurate, but caring instructor. She is also taking driving lessons (post-bike theft) with a driving instructor, Scott, who is a miserable man that could use some “poppy-ness” in his life, an is a foreshadow to what the angry boy in Poppy’s class might become.
And for those of you who might assume she grew up influenced like this, we see her antonym-like younger sister, pregnant, insecure and one who dwells on the bad, and Poppy’s even younger sister, who is just your average exhausted college student before exams. The possibility of danger or conflict is always lurking in the background, but that’s why this movie is about Poppy interacting and dealing with those who maybe aren’t as fortunate with finding happiness in their lives, and not the other way around.
Sally Hawkins is completely and utterly delightful and brilliant as Poppy. Because Hawkins is completely invested in the character, and creating such a welcoming and natural environment, you wouldn’t mind running to do dry cleaning with Poppy, because that’s how well and engrossing she plays her. Its impossible, and a little sad, to think that Hawkins doesn’t have a little “poppy-ness” in her.
Writer-Director Mike Leigh, thankfully, doesn’t send the message that we should all just be happy, and then all our problems will just disappear – we see Poppy’s faith in people, kindness and humanity challenged all throughout the movie. And after seeing her struggle through all in her way, it’s almost impossible to do anything other than love her, and only wish the best.
The movie ends with Poppy and Zoë in a rowboat on a small lake together. When reminiscing about the recent changes and events in her life, Zoë is there for her. And even though the two a rowing in circles, Leigh leaves the movie on a nice note that sums up the movie: Its ok to go in circles, as long as you have someone go in circles with.
- Ari S.
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