Happy-Go-Lucky

Name: Happy-Go-Lucky
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: October 10, 2008
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Alexis Zegerman, Sally Hawkins

2008

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 270 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 270 Ratings

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Happy-Go-Lucky

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: October 10, 2008 | R

Starring: Alexis Zegerman, Sally Hawkins

Summary: Just how hard is it to be happy? Poppy is an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious and often the most elusive of all human qualities:Just how hard is it to be happy? Poppy is an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious and often the most elusive of all human qualities: happiness. Poppy's ability to maintain her perspective is tested as the story begins and her commuter bike is stolen. However, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott, who turns out to be her nemesis – a fuming, uptight cynic. As the tension of their weekly lessons builds, Poppy encounters even more challenges to her positive state of mind: a fiery flamenco instructor, her bitter pregnant sister, a troubled homeless man and a young bully in her class, not to mention that she has also thrown out her back. How this affects not only Poppy's world view but also the outlook of those around her begs the question "glass half full or half empty"? (Miramax)… Expand

Director: Mike Leigh

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Joe Morgenstern

I thought "Topsy-Turvy" was perfection, a spirited evocation of the partnership of Gilbert and Sullivan, plus a blithely definitive depiction of the artistic process. Happy-Go-Lucky is perfection too, assuming you go along with its leisurely pace, which I did quite happily. Read full review

100

Ann Hornaday

Won't break your heart -- it will make it soar. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Mr. Leigh has never been an artist for whom happy (word or idea) has been an easy fit. Life is sweet, as the title of another of his films puts it with a heart-swelling yes, but it’s also an eternal fight against doom and gloom, the soul-crushing no. Read full review

Michael Phillips

There’s something of the harlequin in Leigh’s conception of this bright, manic young woman. Read full review

David Edelstein

Leigh has been giving actors their tongues for decades, and of all his films, Happy-Go-Lucky is the easiest, the least labored. Read full review

Ray Bennett

As surprising as it is delicious with an indelible performance by new star Sally Hawkins. Read full review

Josh Rosenblatt

That's the film's problem: Leigh's creation is fixed and unchangeable, admirably optimistic as a person but completely unengaging as a movie character. Read full review

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User Reviews

SarahK

Mar 17, 2009

This movie is a gem. How often do we see a movie that actually examines the real-life risks of leading a happy life, and whether happiness itself makes it worth it? Also, the acting is extraordinary.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Joseph

Dec 12, 2008

Glad to see that this film got several Golden Globe nominations. Can't believe some of the scores and comments about this film. I guess most people are so used to being spoon fed the story and plot that when they actually have to think it is beyond them. Well, at least the Golden Glad to see that this film got several Golden Globe nominations. Can't believe some of the scores and comments about this film. I guess most people are so used to being spoon fed the story and plot that when they actually have to think it is beyond them. Well, at least the Golden Globes got it right!!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BobE.

Dec 17, 2008

A brilliant film. Sally, who at first seems silly and gullible, later proves to have solved many of the subtle problems connected with being happy, e.g. what to do with disappointment, loss of her bike to a thief, and surly folks who turn aside her innocent friendly gestures with anger. The A brilliant film. Sally, who at first seems silly and gullible, later proves to have solved many of the subtle problems connected with being happy, e.g. what to do with disappointment, loss of her bike to a thief, and surly folks who turn aside her innocent friendly gestures with anger. The real test is her wrathful driving instructor: exquisitely well-portrayed. Sally Hawkin's is so gentle with him! But his pain is so deep she can't reach him. And here we come to the essence of the story: She must choose to put some limits to her compassion - and move on with her life. That she does this with such grace is a marvelous piece of acting. She is a fascinating character. There is a great deal for a Buddhist to think about in Happy-Go-Lucky. Please see this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JayH.

Mar 4, 2009

It's a sweet story with well developed characters and fine writing, but I sure don't know what all the fuss is about. Sally Hawkins is good but I found her performance to be nothing extraordinary. Cute story, not much more.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Broyax

Jan 19, 2017

C'est l'histoire d'une fille qui rigole tout le temps et qui nage dans le "bonheur", à moins que ce ne soit la simple "joie de vivre"... d'un certain côté, il en faut pour faire son boulot d'institutrice, partager l'appartement avec sa colocataire, se troncher au moins une fois par semaineC'est l'histoire d'une fille qui rigole tout le temps et qui nage dans le "bonheur", à moins que ce ne soit la simple "joie de vivre"... d'un certain côté, il en faut pour faire son boulot d'institutrice, partager l'appartement avec sa colocataire, se troncher au moins une fois par semaine (et plus si affinités), se coltiner la petite et la grande soeur. Le quotidien de bien des gens "heureux" et toujours de bonne humeur en somme... même si ça semble outré et trop "beau" pour être vrai.

Le problème est le suivant : a-t'on envie de voir ça à l'écran ? est-ce vraiment intéressant ? on peut se poser la question qui concerne d'ailleurs de nombreux films du genre "social". Le moniteur aigri de l'auto-école est le seul "bémol" dans la vie toute guillerette de Mademoiselle Fou-rire, car il est son exact contraire et semble du coup infiniment plus réaliste ou crédible qu'elle. Un professionnel du ciboulot ne manquerait pas de faire remarquer que la névropathe, c'est elle, car elle surcompense à plein régime tout en essayant de ramener le monde entier... à sa vision hilare du monde.

En tout cas, cette situation conflictuelle efface son sourire, au moins pour un temps. Il s'agit du seul bon point du film, toute cette partie avec le moniteur de conduite qui met en opposition le type dégoûté et la fille béate tête à claques, perdue dans son univers plein de couleurs et de blagues.

A part cela, le film ne fait qu'énumérer la litanie répétitive du bonheur de Mademoiselle Jememarre qui prend tout à la déconne. Et plus elle se marre... plus on s'ennuie !… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SamS.

Jan 26, 2009

Utterly grating.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MarianB

Nov 3, 2008

I was severely disappointed by this film because the trailer seemed so promising. In fact I didn't think a film could actually cause me physical pain (a terrible headache) nor make me think vicious thoughts about the characters. This awful film did exactly that. The script was I was severely disappointed by this film because the trailer seemed so promising. In fact I didn't think a film could actually cause me physical pain (a terrible headache) nor make me think vicious thoughts about the characters. This awful film did exactly that. The script was absolutely unconvincing in its optimistism or at its attempts at portraying realisitic London life (the cabbie for instance was to be pitied for his road rage because of Poppy). Unfortunately also it fulfilled tired stereotypes (white working class cabbie hates black boys, dabbles in conspiracy theories). A new angle would have been appreciated. The romance was forced (the social worker & Poppy exchanging numbers straight after just trying to get the audience to sympathise with an abused child.) Not professional or cute. The attempts to make the audience think that Poppy had some profound insight/kinship with the downtrodden (e.g. the homeless man) was pathetic because there was not a light of understanding between the two, just left with the mad ramblings of a cold and hungry man. The other characters lives (e.g. sister, flatmate, colleagues) were uninteresting and badly acted. The whole film seemed very black and white with everyone enraged with the world (not explained why) and Poppy 'happy' unconvingly. Irritating to the point of knased teeth. Avoid at all cost. I am sorry I rented it. Life affirming films have been done a whole lot better by some seriously good actors with thumpingly good scripts e.g. Audrey Hepburn etc. Indulge in those.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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17	#17 Best Movie of 2008
59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 2008