Movie Review: Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

'Happy-Go-Lucky' is a not so happy movie by Mike Leigh. Before I review the movie I would like to add that the trailers and promo for this movie are complete rubbish, they try to promote this as a quirky-happy movie by manipulating scenes so that it appears to be that way. The movie itself is a very interesting and slow moving movie about 'Poppy', the 30 year old school teacher who is living her life; getting drunk with her sister and flatmate and being single. Also she is preternaturally cheery and happy most times. The main part of the movie focuses on her learning to drive and her interactions with her driving instructor as well her in the school where she teaches, there in lies the serious part of the movie. Her driving instructor, Scott is not just a conservative but a complete whack-job and anyone who has spoken to someone who takes aliens and government conspiraciees seriously can understand how difficult that can be. His rants and mannerisms are spectacular, Eddie Marsan does a very convincing job. Of course in the course of this she meets someone nice (not Scott!!!) which if nothing else is an exception to her usual existence. I think it a very nicely done movie shot in London and parts of the movie are like a sunny day, where in you are soaking in the sun while lying in a park. Funnily enough she goes through life in a Happy-Go-Lucky fashion, however she is a very considerate person and while she might not save money and does get drunk of fridays, she is a very mature person in the way she deals with issues. Overall Sally Hawkins ,who is Poppy does a spectacular job of alternating between the cheery, happy person and the quiet thoughtful being. I would recommend watching this movie when one needs a thoughtful movie rather than watching it hoping for a movie with catchy phrases and 'Junoesque' appeal.