So I had no idea what this movie was about. I knew Sally Hawkins, the lead actress, was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role and that it was directed by Mike Leigh (Secrets & Lies, Vera Drake), which are both great movies, but overall, quite depressing. Interesting that this movie, Happy-Go-Lucky, would be a refreshing change of pace from these other films. Poppy is the main character, an elementary school teacher that approaches life like it's recess. She rides her bike, smiles at everyone, is up for anything fun. She is much like the children she teaches, happy-go-lucky; going "trampolining" after work, taking flamenco lessons with a co-worker, hiring a driving instructor to teach her to drive after her bicycle is stolen.
There are a couple of scenes in particular that I truly enjoyed, including the opening sequence when she is 'flying' free on her bike and stops in at a bookstore with a very sour clerk that is unwilling to give in to the joy of the moment, ignoring Poppy's attempts to make him laugh. When she leaves the bookstore, laughing to herself only to find her bicycle stolen, instead of getting angry, she only says she regrets not being able to say goodbye to her beloved bicycle. Is it possible for real people to have an attitude like this? I'd like to think so, but I have only encountered it in a couple of people. Making lemonade from lemons is not the easiest task for most folks. But I do think it is a quality that most of us wish we had more of.
So the story moves along, following Poppy on her day to day adventures, teaching her class, learning to drive, getting together with the girls for a night of drinking and dancing, but all the while you feel there is something missing in her life that she is unwilling to acknowledge. Poppy visits a homeless man at one point, speaking with him and offering him a bit of humanity, but I think this scene is out of place and really detracts from the rest of the movie. Perhaps Leigh is trying to give Poppy her scene of contemplation, to show her that life isn't perfect and to show the audience that Poppy's life, even though filled with happiness isn't all that it seems, but for me it was a dead scene that was out of context with the rest of the film.
There is a significant portion of the movie that deals with Poppy learning to drive and the interactions she has with her instructor, Scott. These scenes are funny and sweet to a point, but a bit contrived in the end. Poppy is patronizing to Scott, even thought she doesn't deserve the treatment she ultimately receives from him.
I did particularly like the relationship that begins to develop between Poppy and the social worker that will become her boyfriend and it reminded me a bit of Amelie, one of my favorite movies. I was left wanting to be a bit more spontaneous and free. To be happier with my life and to seek out new adventures. Or even just laugh more. Poppy may not have the ideal life, but she's happy with it. And that's something we could all learn from.
