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Happy-Go-Lucky

Happy-Go-Lucky

2008
Comedy, Drama
1h 58m
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. (imdb)
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Happy-Go-Lucky

2008
Comedy, Drama
1h 58m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 58.83% from 1662 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1662)
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Rated 24 Nov 2008
88
87th
When Poppy ventures into an unsavory part of town to interact with a homeless man, a situation that promises to deliver dire consequences for our heroine, we realize that Poppy's unflappable idealism is rooted in an urgent care for the world around her. And that's what makes the final encounter with driving tutor Eddie Marsan so devastating: It confronts the ability of our best intentions to reap unexpected, violent consequences, and even implicates us for them.
Rated 10 Oct 2008
90
86th
The story of a woman who's the female equivalent of the "Common Man" you see represented in books, films, and television by humans who never stray outside their elite wildlife preserves for more than five seconds at a time. She's a charmer, she is. She may be a bit on the goofy side, but she is surrounded with "responsible adults" who, upon close examination, look like they're about to burst at the seams. Plenty of comedy, plenty of drama, nearly all of it works
Rated 25 May 2009
90
83rd
Hawkins' zippily wondrous turn as Poppy could easily be one sharp note, a comic conceit with no soul. Instead, Poppy is fully developed with layers that belie simplistic impressions of how this character should operate. Poppy's character is built from the inside out with reserves of compassion, insight and intelligence that can get obscured by her regular bursts of cheeky laughter. Hawkins has thought through every bit of her and the thoroughness makes everything richer.
Rated 07 Nov 2010
82
72nd
Leigh stated he was going for a "feel" with this rather than a story, and Sally Hawkins certainly gives him one. It's an unbounded performance that serves to light and buoy the whole supporting cast, transcending human limits to interact directly with the score and bright primary palette. Her Poppy is magnetic and fallible, conspicuously confident and determined to bring her version of happiness to the wretched. Running themes of trauma and damage beg a gloomy question: how did she get that way?
Rated 06 Dec 2009
85
79th
Poppy is one of the more interesting characters to come along in quite some time, as Leigh shows his willingness and ability to focus on simple goodness. Few films even attempt this, preferring to wallow in the darkness of the human condition, but Poppy, while a bit too peppy for my taste, takes an optimistic view without ignoring the harsh realities of life. Leigh's film reminds us that while we cannot control our circumstances, we can control our response to them.
Rated 06 Feb 2009
40
17th
It's an american version of Amelié without any of the good stuff and with a quadruple dosage of the irritating stuff. Call me cynical but I'm glad I don't know anyone like Poppy.
Rated 02 Feb 2009
50
38th
It's every bit as annoying as it possibly could be, as are the characters. Even though it pretty much shoves annoyance in your face until the end it somehow manages to fade away in the face of a pretty fantastic script. It's a womans film, no doubt, and so it didn't hit entirely close to home for me. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would though, it grew on me quite a lot. Somehow not really a film I'd recommend to others though.
Rated 24 Aug 2008
81
64th
About half the time the whole thing is ridiculously quirky just for the sake of it and I found myself getting irritated by the main character. Thankfully, the other half of the time has a great mix of funny moments and genuinely touching ones that give the film enough depth to make those quirky moments kind of work. The balance still isn't quite to my liking but I rather enjoyed it on the whole, and the ending is pretty good.
Rated 01 Jun 2009
57
24th
It's a collection of random stories from life of "happy" schoolteacher who seems most of the time that she is either drunk or high. On the side that she is most of the time annoying, stories are too random to form a storyline of a movie.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
90
90th
Nothing that I expected. Terrific.
Rated 17 Aug 2015
35
5th
It's always tough being a loser and relating to a character in a film, you know? For better or for worse, I see a lot of me in Scott and in this film, we don't see a lot working out for him. Everything is shitty for him and he's a shitty person with no chance of redemption. So watching this film entitled Happy-Go-Lucky kinda made me feel like shit. That's a bit of a problem.
Rated 08 Jan 2009
67
52nd
I don't know how I feel about this movie. The main character starts off irritating, REMAINS irritating, yet she somehow grows on you. There's not much plot per se, but I like the concept of this character that is just relentlessly cheery in the face of everything, without becoming a caricature. But in what I suppose would be the climax, I can't help but feel that there wasn't an actual climax or resolution. I think I like this movie, but it's hard to say. I'd say watch it out of curiosity.
Rated 04 May 2009
66
36th
Couldn't really get around the fact that I found the character of Poppy annoying, which is odd because I liked the Scott character. I guess its because your supposed to like the Poppy character. In the end, while I thought the acting was good I just couldn't fully get engaged in this flick.
Rated 08 Aug 2008
70
49th
it takes a while to get used to this movie, at least for male. but it keeps growing all the time. often referred to as the british amelie, it takes a while until poppy develops the magic of her french equivalent but she does. mike leigh gets a very natural kind of acting out of his excellent cast which gives the movie a touch of real life. but sometimes it good a lump of sugar too much for my taste
Rated 07 Sep 2014
92
99th
I'm hardly moving my feet!
Rated 28 Apr 2009
3
74th
Like the optimistic sibling of Naked. Both films have the same underlying view of the world, but Poppy simply chooses to be happy, unlike poor Johnny in Naked. Puts a smile on my face this one.
Rated 16 Oct 2008
60
65th
Usual Leigh, still I wonder if he will ever get Naked again.
Rated 08 Oct 2017
75
59th
I passed by Mike Leigh at the cinemas today and almost thought that I hadn't seen any of his films, but then remembered a quiet autumn day when this popped up on TV when I was in 9th grade, and was happy I saw it.
Rated 28 Dec 2017
70
46th
Top badass moment? I recently read an article on the BBC News website that explained how happy and positive people are an evolutionary dead-end. As further evidence, this movie demonstrates quite clearly that cheerful people are also really, bloody annoying. Why do they insist on forcing their world view on the rest of us, who just want to live our lives like we're on a packed, late-running, dark winter morning commuter train? It's a survival trait. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 29 Jul 2009
57
21st
Unfortunately Poppy is as irritating as she is happy.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
90
90th
Poppy didn't annoy me but instead charmed me, the dialogue had me smiling throughout and the climax was incredibly emotionally intense. Poppy really is a fascinating character, as with many of Leigh's characters you can tell there's a lot going on beneath the surface. Even though his characters can seem almost caricaturish they also at the same time feel more real than just about any other characters I've seen.
Rated 02 Sep 2008
85
69th
Now here's a filmmaker that can build tension, despite it being a comedy. The humor is fun, and Sally Hawkins deserves some praise.
Rated 10 Oct 2008
95
95th
#859 - 10 Ekim 08, filmekimi2008, emek sinemasi, 16:00 & http://sineofrenik.blogspot.com/2008/10/filmekimi-2008-happy-go-lucky.html
Rated 06 Apr 2013
58
44th
Oh, god. I was SO disappointed by the ending! Also, being the pessimist I am, I found Poppy to be annoying.
Rated 02 May 2009
95
85th
Joyful and thought-provoking, a pretty weird but unique combination that this film accomplishes without seeming desperate.
Rated 14 Mar 2018
71
43rd
Interesting, watching this movie with my wife. She found Poppy annoying while I found her undying sense of optimism charming.
Rated 27 Apr 2012
91
91st
Sally Hawkins is sweet and wonderful as a playful young woman who is naturally happy and maybe a little too nice. Even when in pain, she smiles and make jokes. She is deliciously beautiful and enduring. Eddie Marsan was generally annoying as the driving instructor/stalker. Music throughout is whimsical and light. She has a heart of gold, and remains fearless even when confronted by insanity. It's impossible to not love this character and her performance.
Rated 15 Dec 2013
50
45th
Poppy needs to be popped in the mouth! Annoying as shit. Scott the driving instructor was right about one thing, people like Poppy are so afraid not being liked, that they go out of their way to try and endear themselves to everyone, not realizing that they just come across as irritating. Just accept that you can't please everyone, and that every single person on Earth has someone out there that doesn't like them for whatever reason.
Rated 23 Oct 2008
86
62nd
Cute; Then cloying; And finally, a completely compelling character study... Watch it, and feel yourself find your own compassion...
Rated 03 Feb 2009
85
60th
Other than the fantastic acting, my favorite part of this movie was actually Leigh's wonderful cinematography, which involves lots of vertical orientation and tunneling. Pretty good film.
Rated 27 Feb 2010
75
83rd
What's different this time around for Leigh is the focus on a relentless upbeat character. She is set against her opposite, a seething, bitter driving instructor, and this isn't one of those movies where one of the two fundamentally change the other. They pass right through each other. becoming temporarily unsettled, but so elemental are their personalities that they can absorb the conflict and use it to strengthen their worldviews. I like that the film is more descriptive than proscriptive.
Rated 05 Dec 2012
50
27th
Too irritating to enjoy.
Rated 18 Jan 2009
80
78th
A charming little piece on a girl determined to make the best of life. She might be naïve and at first irritating, but there is something intriguing about the way Poppy deals with her life. This becomes apparent especially in the scenes with her driving school instructor (the incredible Eddie Marsan), which essentially become stepping stones for both characters in the way of how they should look at themselves and the world around them.
Rated 06 Oct 2008
95
97th
One of the best films of the year.
Rated 15 May 2009
70
45th
I don't get it, maybe I'm too much of a pessimist.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
1
0th
so...she's retarded...?
Rated 07 Dec 2009
76
43rd
The leading characters are all interesting and multi-dimensional but there is not much in the way of story development and being entirely character-driven the character development needs to be more dramatic or radical. Inoffensive but not one of Mike Leigh's best films.
Rated 20 Dec 2009
70
42nd
Un pelicula poco convencional. Dificil arriesgarse a recomendarla.
Rated 22 Aug 2012
25
8th
Couldn't force myself to finish it.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
85
73rd
A remarkable and unsappy story about a woman who always wants to see the bright side of life.
Rated 14 Oct 2012
69
56th
It takes a while to get going, but retrospectively the slow start isn't as boring as it seems at the time. This is a well thought out tale that does extremely well not to annoy the audience. The lead character, under normal circumstances, should grate to the point of inciting murderous rage, but, amazingly, turns out to be charmingly kooky, largely due to Leigh's script and Hawkins' delivery.
Rated 29 Nov 2012
45
3rd
Maybe I'm missing it, but I just kept waiting for something to actually happen. She's childishly happy verging on cognitive disability, and most people around her clinically depressed (book-store guy). It's just weird without a point. Some scenes are kind of funny, and bits of the dialogue works,but no.
Rated 15 Jan 2009
98
83rd
Would be 100, except that the ending is weak.
Rated 20 Feb 2016
18
96th
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Rated 28 Jul 2011
68
63rd
It certainly has its positives, but can't be considered Leigh at his very best. Things start slowly, but this film does eventually win you over with some genuine humour and charm. It has to be said that some of the support cast simply are not talented enough to pull off a Leigh script, and at times this leads to slightly stilted dialogue. However there are some great performances too, with the scenes shared between the brilliant Marsan & Hawkins really standing out as this films highlight.
Rated 16 Mar 2009
76
36th
It took me awhile to get into the rhythm of the movie. At first I was overwhelmed by the happy-go-luckiness of the main character,Poppy, but in the end the character and the movie won me over. I look forward to watching it again. [Tuesday,Tuesday, Tuesday Two Video Store Deal 3.10.09]
Rated 10 Mar 2011
88
63rd
Sally Hawkins is irrepressible as Poppy. Karina Fernandez has a terrific scene as the flamenco teacher, "MY SPACE, stomp-stomp".
Rated 04 Jul 2011
30
8th
so annoying!
Rated 16 Feb 2014
6
83rd
an irrepressibly happy woman increasingly glimpses into the dark worlds inhabited by others. the protagonist's perspective is the complete flip-side of naked's central character, but the similarities are obvious: screamingly good dialogue peppered with intellectualism, unique, slightly caricatured characters and fantastic performances. perhaps the peppy tone lends to occasional irritation, and perhaps some sub-plots are more contrived than others, but
Rated 19 Nov 2008
97
94th
One of the, if not THE best movies I've seen this year. I was completely engrossed by Poppy and her story. Her life, her friends, her day to day, are absolutely fascinating. Sally Hawkins is remarkable as Poppy, and the movie would not have been what it was without her.
Rated 12 Dec 2008
65
39th
Leigh's weakest link
Rated 31 Aug 2009
70
30th
While Poppy can teach us many lessons about happiness, the film as a whole was quite purposeless. It left me thinking, "So what? What's the lesson here?" Still, it was amusing. (To all those who think Poppy is the most irritating character every, please chill out. You, more than anyone else, need to learn from her.)
Rated 03 Aug 2010
65
73rd
O
Rated 05 Feb 2015
70
56th
Perhaps this film caught me in a good mood. Ordinarily I'd find Poppy an annoying character, but Sally Hawkins makes it work. She's cheery but realistic enough, and perhaps the fact that she's willing to deal with pain and confront her problems endeared her to me.
Rated 05 Feb 2014
80
87th
It's about an annoyingly happy girl, but she is not annoying and the story is a lot deeper about how you approach life. I really enjoyed this film, the story and the acting felt very natural and real, also the characters where fun and complex, I was left with a good feeling after watching it.
Rated 12 Aug 2015
92
88th
EN-RA-HA!!!
Rated 17 Jan 2009
83
89th
Mike Leigh's free directing and Sally Hawkins' lovely perfomance make it a must-see comedy.
Rated 13 Jan 2009
90
70th
Sally Hawkins gives a a stellar performance in a film that is reverent, affirming and brilliant. The naturalistic aspect of Hawkins' performance is perhaps the definition of how true comedic brilliance should be portrayed, never is she showy, always the embodiment of Poppy. Mike Leigh once again provides a truly brilliant original screenplay and apt direction. Credible turns from Eddie Marsan and Alexis Zegerman.
Rated 18 Dec 2011
85
89th
Sally Hawkins is an absolute delight in the lead role. This is a well made independent movie with some very funny moments and interesting characters.
Rated 15 Dec 2009
74
90th
Brilliant. Perfectly imperfect and Mike Leigh knows it. A masterclass in humble, accessible, disarming filmmaking. -- it's so satisfying scoring a film higher than the PSI.
Rated 17 Oct 2010
30
78th
"This gangly brunette is bananas, and the music on the soundtrack is perfectly in sync with her kooky mode of social expression, so that she suggests Mary Pickford as well as Polly Jean Harvey." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 10 Oct 2012
94
89th
Insightful character study of a true original: Hawkins' outstanding portrayal of a very difficult (and divisive) character is the centrepiece, but she is surrounded by a diverse ensemble of lesser-known British actors (with Marsan's heartbreaking driving instructor another standout). Leigh's offbeat but effective directorial style (relying largely on improvisation) means that the film very occasionally meanders and seems to wander off topic, but these minor caveats aside, a truly wonderful film.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
78
70th
There's this sharp breathing-in habit that she makes after saying something really fast in her incredibly British voice. I noticed it halfway into the film, and it was then that I realized that she IS quite annoying. But regardless of her charisma and the lack of a real plot, this movie's got some really funny bits and a pretty poignant, life-affirming message.
Rated 11 Oct 2008
80
73rd
Leigh turns to his TV films style which is a bit disappointing. The movie is generally OK, but it does not progress well, that is to say when a new theme is introduced the older one is left for the crows. Sally Hawkins is superb. Not the best Leigh but since watching this film in june I like it better and better. A real, pure "working class" movie, nothing Loachian about it, unpretentious.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
60
31st
The film is well shot and the script is all those things it wants to be: quirky, serious, odd, nice, weird, good, normal... Acting is great, but movie has a serious problem. It's: quirky, serious, odd, nice, weird, good, normal. And never really good. Just average. No point. Maybe I was expecting too much after the really great Vera Drake. Still, it's watchable.
Rated 09 Sep 2009
5
0th
The crew behind this should be sentenced to watch this all over again! *thumbs down*
Rated 25 Oct 2013
70
38th
Doesn't feel that special and I guess Mike Leigh can't do cheery like he does depressing, but this is still a fun film that had me smiling throughout most of it. It does feel like the film is testing its viewers (and the usual misfits that make up Leigh's dark audience) by pushing the limits of its cheeriness, but I can let it slide because of how infectiously fun this script and Hawkin's character is. Check your cynical side at the door
Rated 22 Dec 2008
74
71st
A great and intricate performance by Hawkins doesn't negate the fact that nothing actually happens in this film, though it is fun and, well, happy, to watch.
Rated 27 Dec 2010
5
0th
It is a rare blessing to have movies like Happy-Go-Lucky and Rachel Getting Married arrive back to back.
Rated 05 Oct 2013
84
79th
83.500
Rated 19 Apr 2009
7
65th
Sally Hawkins gives a superb performance.
Rated 24 Aug 2010
75
65th
"What goes around comes around."
Rated 30 Dec 2008
40
10th
Despite moments of genuine wit this was a genuinely boring movie.
Rated 20 Apr 2008
95
92nd
She's like the British Amelie. Excellenet supporting cast.A nice big dose of female friendship without all the bullshit.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
60
44th
The trouble is that the movie in which Poppy does, in fact, exist never quite rises to her level.
Rated 22 Jan 2009
62
30th
Her character became gradually more and more irritating throughout the film. Still, it had its moments, especially the scenes with Scott, the driving instructor (who was by far the film's best character).
Rated 01 Apr 2009
50
30th
Happy-Go-Lucky puts the "I" in Indie. If you do not like Independent movies, I can guarantee that you will not like this movie. Basically, it's about how people who are positive make their own happiness. I do appreciate that concept, and would like to see the theme used in another capacity--maybe a comedy. But, despite its charming title, this movie IS NOT a comedy. . , and it drags on forever! Very little happens. Though Sally Hawkins is admittedly charming, I do not recommend this movie.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
35
22nd
Third biggest let down of the year next to Burn After Reading and Blindness. The plot was hideous and it was too annoying and unfunny to enjoy. Nothing to be happy about here. Grade: D Plus
Rated 13 Jul 2009
70
76th
godo movie
Rated 17 Feb 2009
78
88th
Pretty funny movie with a great performance by Sally Hawkins as the perpetually joyful Poppy.
Rated 03 Feb 2011
80
95th
sweety
Rated 11 Feb 2013
5
4th
Anyone who thinks Poppy is a kooky, fun-filled character is likely to be the person the rest of the office hates. And I hate everyone who called this "the British Amelie". There's no comparison between the two. This is...I don't even know what this is. 2 hours in the presence of the most irritating character ever dredged from the mind of a writer. Like being stuck on a long-haul flight sat next to an ADHD child who just doesn't know when to shut up.
Rated 15 Sep 2010
75
72nd
"Happy-Go-Lucky" is a very enjoyable film, that also contains an underlying message about the consequences of being happy. I had a great time. Sally Hawkings, but also Eddie Marsan, Sylvestra Le Touzel and Stanley Townsend deliver amazing comedic (?) performances. The film is certainly happy-go-lucky and a joy to behold, but I just wish the excellent Mike Leigh had explored some hidden, more "serious" themes of his film with more intensity.
Rated 20 Feb 2011
79
66th
Mike Leigh in curiously up-beat mood. This feels like a morality tale without the moral. Sally Hawkins is fantastic as Poppy, and Eddie Marsan is great as her driving instructor. This relationship serves as an image for Poppy's approach to life and the risks and rewards that entails. Thoroughly engaging, and funny throughout, the only criticism would be the lack of the kind of depth that you might expect from Leigh. However, this is a pleasant way to spend 2 hours.
Rated 29 Dec 2008
83
68th
Not sure what Leigh's goal is here. Poppy is an extremely polarizing character & yet Leigh refuses 2 judge, SORT OF. He continually hints that Poppy's bubbly pie-in-the-sky need 2 help could lead not just to trouble, but tragedy & yet the film never makes the leap. Particularly in the final disturbing conflict, the ultimate outcome is left in the air. Poppy's personality might or might not lead 2 tragedy, but then again maybe not.Luckily the characters' relationships & great acting reel u in.
Rated 03 Dec 2010
70
69th
Fabulous!
Rated 14 Feb 2011
80
93rd
This has been the happiest that I've ever felt since Magic Kingdom!
Rated 16 Sep 2011
90
73rd
Perhaps my fave of Leigh's.
Rated 26 Dec 2014
75
30th
This light little flick should've made Sally Hawkins a star, and Eddie Marsan is extremely compelling.
Rated 05 May 2009
25
13th
I couldn't finish it. Go back to the brilliance of "Naked", please.
Rated 13 Dec 2008
70
50th
null
Rated 01 Jan 2011
81
69th
81.250
Rated 03 Feb 2009
45
53rd
I can't take characters like this. Flawless comedic writing and excellent filming absolutely destroyed by a terrible performance of a terrible monster. The driving scenes were the reason I didn't give it a 10 or something like that. Especially the final one.
Rated 09 Jun 2011
61
18th
Hawkins' banter and mannerisms are consistently annoying, like an obnoxious Ricky Gervais character. I was mildly intrigued with her, but she irritated me far too much. Perhaps this is a reflection of me as a human being, rather cynical myself... but not to the degree of Scott, the evil driving instructor (he's even got bad teeth! GRRRR!). I respect what this film is going for, and can see what others find to love about it, but Hawkins' performance was too often like nails on a chalkboard.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
90
93rd
I love these "slice of life" movies and love the stupid quirky jokes that dot every second of the film. However, this is hardly a film for everyone. It's pretty manic and the British accents can be a little tough at times. If you're generally a pretty happy/goofy person give it a shot.
Rated 15 May 2019
90
80th
Viewed May 14, 2019.
Rated 19 Jul 2020
90
95th
All hail Poppy. At first glance, she is naive, and possibly one demential, but diving further in reveals a deeply layered character that chooses happiness but fully understands the opposite. Hawkins gives a performance with her whole body that is so rich that it forces a smile onto your face. When the heavy stuff hits, it hits hard. Eddie Marsan's character continues to be extremely relevant and he is explosive against Poppy's smiles. This Mike Leigh at his best.
Rated 14 Aug 2020
80
57th
An infectious good feeling with this one, perfect for a "pick-me up" type movie.
Rated 16 Mar 2022
42
23rd
Despite not really doing much of anything, the movie is definitely confident and well made, hitting a spectrum of viewpoints and emotions. But the characters just did nothing for me. I was thinking that Scott was the identifiable, cynical every man. Even that went out the window. I just don't think I like Mike Leigh movies very much.

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