Happy-Go-Lucky – DVD Review

The Film:

I wish I could be more like Poppy. I wish I could continually see the good in everything, instead of the doom and gloom. I won’t lie, Poppy irritated me at times, but by the end, even this old cynic had to smile and imaginarily hug her as we walked into the fade out to credits.

I think that’s the success of the picture. She will collide with some of your opinions and emotions. We can’t all be happy, can we? For Poppy (Oscar-nominated Sally Hawkins) life is fun and worth living. Even during times of sadness or angry, I don’t think Poppy would give into those emotions, perhaps wasted emotions. When her bike is stolen, she’s smiling, looking around to see where it could have gone, instead of getting angry and stomping off, she exclaims: “I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye.”

With her bike stolen, she thinks it’s time to learn how to drive (at the age of 30). The scenes with her and her student driving teacher, Scott (Eddie Marsan), really have bite and are the film’s best. But the film earns it, since we see Poppy in her prime; she’s bubbly, giggly, endlessly hopefully, a pitch-perfect optimist. We see her teach and hang with friends, and it is if she’s a free spirit on no road or plan at all. It isn’t that, Poppy is just a fun-loving, life-loving person. Scott is a bitter man; a possible paranoid man, mean, direct, and here is where we have the film’s main conflict for the characters to resolve.

We got two completely different personalities strapped up in this little Ford Focus. Something’s going to give. Poppy’s optimism to Scott’s angry attitude or vise versa? It’s fun to watch and in the end, whatever your attitude is, looking through Poppy’s eyes at the world, makes it like a bright, beautiful day: just beautiful. Poppy’s attitude might be a shield towards the negativity in life, but it works and what’s so wrong with that? Even the hardest of people need to smile more and Happy-Go-Lucky does just that.

The DVD:

Audio/Video: I think a Blu Ray would have showed off the colors better, but this transfer is pretty good. No major complaints. The audio is filling without calling attention to it. Little bass and surrounds, but has a warm presence with the lovely score.

Commentary: Mike Leigh is quite engaging and the nature of how this film, as with all of his work, came about is a good listen.

Happy-in-Character: This little piece features some quality interviews on how Eddie and Sally brought their characters to life.

Behind the Wheel: Here they focus on the camera work and set-up during the driving scenes to allow Sally and Eddie to stay in character. Pretty good little featurette.

Conclusion: Happy-Go-Lucky is a sweet film, worth seeing, even if it’s a rental. I’m sure there will be people who can’t stand Poppy, but she is welcomed anytime in my life. Miramax does a good job here on the DVD, with decent extras; I just wish it was on Blu.

Rating: