British Film Makes Viewers Happy-Go-Lucky

By Broadside Writer Jen Driggers.

Looking for a movie to watch with that special someone on your first date? Possibly something not too emotionally deep, brainy, or a gore fest; but something interesting and light? Then the enticing plot, light humor, and cool British accents in the foreign film Happy-Go-Lucky might be perfect.

The film stars British actress Sally Hawkins as Poppy, an endlessly happy and optimistic 30-year-old teacher who tries to make the most of everything and to look at the bright side of every situation.

With a persistently positive and naturally humorous personality, it is hard to not like her flamboyant character. Countering serious situations with positive ideals and humor, she takes what would cause many a certain degree of stress and takes a load even off the audience’s shoulders.

It is interesting to see how she reacts when situations like trampoline jumping, flamenco dancing, teaching, and learning to drive cause some unpredictably serious situations.

Her driving instructor could be considered her antagonist, since he is all about seriousness and has extreme anger issues. Throughout the film the two will battle out a war pitting his seriousness about life against her faith and good nature.

However, not all of her attempts at happiness are rebuked. When she discovers that one of her students is being beaten by his mother’s boyfriend, Poppy immediately takes the situation calmly in hand. Calling a social worker to the boy’s aide Poppy and the social worker are able to work together to help the young boy.

The film was written and directed by Mark Leigh, a British director who brings his own creative intuits to the table. His style since 1971 has been to begin with an idea, hire actors and then to improvise with them for several months before putting a film together.

“The whole thing is grown organically and arrives in a complete way,” said Leigh in a 2008 interview with the Los Angeles Times.

The film was released on Aug. 30 at the Telluride Film Festival. The film festival is hosted annually on Labor Day weekend in the small town of Telluride, Colo.

Hosted for four days each year, it features many films and gives the opportunity for film enthusiasts to converse amongst each other and to the directors who produced the movies themselves. The festival exists not for competition but for the enjoyment of the films themselves. This festival has been the first to witness such films such as; Juno, Brokeback Mountain, Napoleon, Blue Velvet and The Crying Game.

Though it has an entirely positive message, some of the film’s attributes may not be so desirable to today’s audience. The film has a slow pace, as it follows events in Poppy’s life with slow, comprehensive detail. But, if you’re looking for a funny movie with a good message and cool British accents, then Happy-Go-Lucky is a good bet.