Happy-Go-Lucky
In his fantastic new movie “Happy-Go-Lucky,” Mike Leigh finds optimism and irrepressible energy in his usual working-class London setting. And he does it without sacrificing his vaunted realism. Happiness, in Leigh’s world, is a force of will, and the emotional strength of his lead character, a buoyant primary school teacher named Poppy, is remarkable. Poppy’s chin-up reaction to the theft of her beloved bicycle keys us in to her resilient spirit. It also establishes the framework for the story, as Poppy tries to advance her meager station by taking driving lessons. An increasingly hostile instructor, played with pinpoint rage and pathos by Eddie Marsan, tests her resolve, along with other dilemmas that carry undercurrents of violence and despair. By conventional standards, not a heck of a lot happens in “Happy-Go-Lucky,” and that’s in part a testament to Leigh’s working method, in which the plot and dialogue take shape during extensive rehearsals with his actors. Nonetheless, the stakes are high for Poppy, as Leigh reveals the precariousness of her cheerful attitude. As Poppy, Sally Hawkins delivers an extraordinary performance. Her laugh seems to well up from deep within, yet Hawkins also summons the grit and determination that lurk beneath the smile. Among others in the standout cast, Alexis Zegerman as Poppy’s droll roommate and Kate O’Flynn as her disaffected sister show the many ways life can — and by all rights should — get you down. Yet their closeness to Poppy sustains them. “Happy-Go-Lucky” is a feel-good movie that works hard for its warm-and-fuzzy vibes.