 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Happy-Go-Lucky
- Review Date: October 6, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Thoughtful comedy's charm outweighs mild iffiness.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, despite its "R" rating, there's very little offensive or upsetting material in this British comedy. With the exception of one profanity-filled, angry outburst near the end of the movie, the salty language is mostly a means of colorful, humorous expression. The young professional female characters do drink socially -- and get very drunk once -- but they don't engage in irresponsible behavior. Sexuality is limited to some playful teasing among the young women and one scene between adults who kiss, begin to undress, and sink onto a bed. A chance encounter between the heroine and a mentally ill homeless man is scary for a few moments but resolves without violence. She also has to deal with the explosive jealousy of an unstable admirer.
What's the story?
Poppy (Sally Hawkins) is a primary school teacher in North London. She's funny, almost blindly optimistic, and, of course, "happy go lucky." She has a busy life, surrounded by adoring (though slightly disbelieving) family and friends. When her bike is stolen, Poppy takes driving lessons. She also enrolls in a Flamenco dance class, notices that one of the young boys in her class has had some disturbing changes in behavior, encounters a mentally ill homeless man, and meets an appealing social worker. That's it. Those vignettes provide the structure that tells Poppy's story in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY.
Is it any good?
Director Mike Leigh -- who's well-known for constructing his movies from an idea, a sharp eye for extraordinary actors, and six months of improvisation and "rehearsal" -- has moved away from the serious subjects of his recent past (Vera Drake) to make what appears at first glance to be a frothy comedy. But there's much more to Happy-Go-Lucky.
This is a movie with serious undercurrents and a dazzling performance by Hawkins. Just beneath the surface of what seems to be Poppy's unwavering good spirit lies a wise, sensitive, and courageous young woman. She works hard, parties hard, yearns for a fulfilling relationship, and encounters evidence of the anger and pathology of strangers that could be around any corner. She's one of those people who's not afraid to look -- or to help. Nothing less than the profound question of how happiness is possible in today's world is at the heart of this film. Poppy's answer? It's a choice.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what the movie means by "happy go lucky." Do you have to be naïve and unaware of the world's problems in order to be "happy"? How did the movie show that always trying to see life's bright side didn't mean that Poppy wasn't responsible and intelligent as well? What kind of choices did she make when facing angry or unhappy people? Were they good choices? Why or why not? Can you understand why some people were annoyed by Poppy's sunny personality?
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AGE
Just calm yourselves down
Yes, it's sweet and yes, it's likeable, but by no means is it a masterpiece. I will freely admit that Sally Hawkins is wonderful in the film, but that's pretty much the extent of the film's quality. The plot: well, there really isn't one. There's a happy person who teaches, she takes driving lessons from ssome whacko who secretly likes her, and falls in love with a social worker. Being a comitted fan of British humor, I expected a bust-a-gut comedy, but that's not really what it was. It was funny, just not that fuunny. And honestly, people need to stop posting five-star reviews. Just ffor the record, I was the biggest fan of the film in the group that I watched it with, they found it dreadful and slow. So, if you want to just kind of wind down, "Happy-Go-Lucky" is a fine choice, and aside from a little drinking and an f-word or to it's not very inaproppriate.
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Waste of time
I'm sorry, but *to me* this movie was very boring.. I kept wondering when I was going to see a plot forming. Basically it just shows how an airhead who has not yet grown up at 30 lives her life which is sometimes responsible (as a teacher) and sometimes not (getting drunk with the girls, sex on first date). Then she gets involved with a psycho driving instructor and has to deal with his aggressive antics. If I were to sum it up, it is about an ditzy young woman who refuses to grow up and always wears "rose colored" glasses.
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Happy go Lucky makes you feel happy go lucky
Happy Go Lucky was the best british movie of 2008 and Sally Hawkins was a delight as poppy a free-spirited teacher. go out and rent it.
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| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Mike Leigh |
| Cast: | Alexis Zegerman, Eddie Marsan, Sally Hawkins |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 118 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 10, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | March 10, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language. |
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