Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

A look at a few chapters in the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to exasperate those around her.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Stars:

Sally Hawkins, Alexis Zegerman, Samuel Roukin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 39 wins & 60 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Hawkins	...	Poppy
Elliot Cowan	...	Bookshop Assistant
Alexis Zegerman	...	Zoe
Andrea Riseborough	...	Dawn
Sinead Matthews	...	Alice (as Sinéad Matthews)
Kate O'Flynn	...	Suzy
Sarah Niles	...	Tash
Eddie Marsan	...	Scott
Joseph Kloska	...	Suzy's Boyfriend
Sylvestra Le Touzel	...	Heather
Anna Reynolds	...	Receptionist
Nonso Anozie	...	Ezra
Trevor Cooper	...	Patient
Karina Fernandez	...	Rosita Santos
Philip Arditti	...	Flamenco Student

Storyline

Poppy Cross is happy-go-lucky. At 30, she lives in Camden: cheeky, playful, frank while funny, and talkative to strangers. She's a conscientious and exuberant primary-school teacher, flatmates with Zoe, her long-time friend; she's close to one sister, and not so close to another. In this slice of life story, we watch her take driving lessons from Scott, a dour and tightly-wound instructor, take classes in flamenco dance from a fiery Spaniard, encounter a tramp in the night, and sort out a student's aggressive behavior with a social worker's help. Along the way, we wonder if her open attitude puts her at risk of misunderstanding or worse. What is the root of happiness?

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | happiness | camden town london | london england | driving instructor | 

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Taglines:

The one movie this fall that will put a smile on your face.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

MK2 [France] Momentum Pictures [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Happy-go-lucky

Filming Locations:

Holloway Road, Holloway, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£385,190 (United Kingdom), 20 April 2008, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$73,867, 12 October 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,494,485, 18 January 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Special Treats Production Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Samuel Roukin, Sally Hawkins and Stanley Townsend all acted in the mini series "The Hollow Crown"

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Goofs

In the build up to the final (aborted) driving lesson Scott (Eddie Marsan) is seen turning right into Holloway road (half way up and heading north), then moments later they are seen navigating the Highbury and Islington roundabout, turning into again into Holloway road about half a mile south of the previous location.

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Quotes

Title Card: [first lines]
Poppy: [pulls out book from shelf] The Road to Reality...
[smiles and pushes the book back]
Poppy: Don't wanna be going there!
[laughs]

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Connections

References Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

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Soundtracks

Common People
Performed by Pulp
Written by Jarvis Cocker (as Cocker) / Nick Banks (as Banks) / Candida Doyle (as Doyle) / Steve Mackey (as Mackey) / Russell Senior (as Senior)
Published by Universal/Island Music Ltd
Courtesy of Universal-Island Records Ltd
Under licence from Universal Music Operations

User Reviews

Feel good movie

As always, Mike Leigh also in this delivers a film with a unique insight into everyday people. But unlike many other of his films, this is more light and easy in the tone and what I want to call a feel-good movie. The film is based on the character Poppy, and goes straight into her life. It may be strange to write this, but the movie actually has little content besides following her many strange incidents and funny episodes. But even if the movie misses a story that builds itself up and draws you into the action, it works just fine. Much thanks to the main role holder who is really created for the role of the freaky, fun and funny poppy. We also need such movie experiences.