DVD Review: Sally Hawkins Shines in Mike Leigh’s Fantastic ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’

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HollywoodChicago.com DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0
DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Happy-Go-Lucky” was one my favorite films of 2008 with a pitch-perfect performance by the great Sally Hawkins, an actress who so embodied her character that not only did she deserve to be nominated for an Oscar, she should be polishing her trophy right now. New to DVD, audiences can finally catch up with “Happy-Go-Lucky,” another notch in the belt for the great Mike Leigh, one of the more consistent filmmakers of the last twenty years.

Mike Leigh doesn’t make films like most writer/directors. His work is a collaborative, improvisational process that takes months. But it’s not like Will Ferrell’s work. There’s no improv up on the screen in an ad-libbed sense. It’s more of a co-screenwriting process, where the ensemble works with Leigh on back story and dialogue by inhabiting their characters for months at a time.

Happy-Go-Lucky was released on DVD on March 10th, 2009.
Happy-Go-Lucky was released on DVD on March 10th, 2009.
Photo credit: Miramax Home Video

The process has led to some of the richest, most believable filmmaking of the last several years in films like “Vera Drake,” “Secrets & Lies,” and “Topsy-Turvy”. “Happy-Go-Lucky” is one of his best, a multi-layered, realistic comedy that is a must-see.

Happy-Go-Lucky was released on DVD on March 10th, 2009.
Happy-Go-Lucky was released on DVD on March 10th, 2009.
Photo credit: Miramax Home Video

Hawkins plays Poppy, a woman described by one critic as a happiness fascist. When it’s suggested to her that she can’t make everyone happy, she responds merely by pointing out that it hurts no one to try. Poppy is an eternal optimist, but she’s not as two-dimensional as you might think.

One of the many things I love about “Happy-Go-Lucky” is the film’s recognition of the difference between naivete and happiness. Poppy is happy, but she knows there’s darkness in the world. She just chooses to look at the positive side of things. In the opening moments of the film, after she finds her bike stolen, she’s not angry it’s gone, just upset she couldn’t say goodbye.

As for the “plot” of “Happy-Go-Lucky,” don’t expect your traditional arc or neat resolution. The meat of the story revolves around Poppy having to learn how to drive after her bike is stolen. Poppy meets her polar opposite in Eddie Marsan’s instructor, a man both frustrated by Poppy’s cheery demeanor and kind of fascinated by her.

“Happy-Go-Lucky” is a feel-good film, but not in the traditional, manipulative way Hollywood usually delivers. It’s a feel-good film for me because it felt like nothing else in the hundreds of movies I saw in 2008. It’s charming without being forced, riveting without being overly complicated, and completely believable. Perhaps more than any movie last year, Poppy exists for me before the cameras rolled and after the credits. I’d like to think she’s still out there somewhere, trying to find a way to walk on the sunny side of the street and find the positive in Sally Hawkins’ Oscar snub.

The Miramax DVD for “Happy-Go-Lucky” (and shame on them for not making one of the best films of last year available on Blu-Ray), is presented in widescreen with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound track. Bonus features include “Behind the Wheel of Happy-Go-Lucky,” “Happy-In-Character,” and an audio commentary by director Mike Leigh. It’s not an overwhelming collection but the video/audio transfer and special features provide just enough for the film.

‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ is released by Miramax Home Video and stars Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsan, Alexis Zegerman, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Stanley Townsend, Kate O’Flynn, Caroline Martin, Oliver Maltman, Sarah Niles, Samuel Roukin, Karina Fernandez, and Nonso Anozie. It was written and directed by Mike Leigh. It was released on March 10th, 2009. It is rated R.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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