"En-ra-ha!" -Scott
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Brit director Mike Leigh follows up his abortionist melodrama "Vera Drake" with a truly "pro-life" dra-medy that will infuriate the terminally morose and tickle those who know there's more to life than negativity!
3-1/4 stars (2 views) [(2008)UK/Miramax/Rated R]- (1 hr 58 min)
Written & Directed by Mike Leigh
Cast ... Lead character:
Sally Hawkins ... Poppy (age 30/Single/Teacher)
Review:
"'The Road to Reality' ... don't want to go in there." -Poppy
Gray skies and low-key dramas are the hallmark of the autumn Oscar season, but this year an unlikely curmudgeon by the name of Mike Leigh ("Vera Drake") offers up the fall's first ray of sunshine!
It may be unfair to call the famed British director a "total" curmudgeon since he has made comedies in the past, like the period biography "Topsy-Turvy" (1999) and the 'Odd Couple'-esque "Secrets & Lies" (1996) plus the darker dra-medy "All or Nothing" (2002).
"All or Nothing" marked the first time actress Sally Hawkins (BBC-TV's "Persuasion") had worked with Leigh, and he used her once again in "Vera Drake," however both roles were very small parts.
Obviously the veteran director must have noticed some spark of "star quality" in the relatively new actress and his instincts proved correct as Hawkins now turns in a layered, Oscar-caliber performance as the terminally-positive "Poppy."
This is one of the few Oscar nominees that might brighten your spirits, so watch it in the springtime for the full 'happiness effect'!
"It's hard work bein' a grown-up." -Poppy
Main crew:
Original Music by Gary Yershon
Cinematography by Dick Pope
Editor: Jim Clark
Cast ... Supporting characters:
Eddie Marsan... Scott (The Driving Instructor)
Alexis Zegerman ... Zoe (The Best Friend & Roommate)
Karina Fernandez ... Flamenco Teacher (Spanish Dance class scenes only)
Sylvestra Le Touzel ... Heather (Poppy's boss/School principal)
Kate O'Flynn ... Suzy (Poppy's kid sister/University student)
Caroline Martin ... Helen (Poppy's married & very-pregnant sister)
Oliver Maltman ... Jamie (Helen's husband)
Samuel Roukin ... Tim (Social worker for kids)
Jack MacGeachin ... Nick (School bully)
Stanley Townsend ... Tramp
MOVIE website
Additional cast (from IMDbPRO.com):
Andrea Riseborough ... Dawn (Poppy's Brunette pal)
Sinead Matthews ... Alice (Poppy's Blonde pal)
Sarah Niles ... Tash (Poppy's African-UK pal/teacher)
Nonso Anozie ... Ezra (Clinic Chiropractor)
Elliot Cowan ... Bookseller
Joseph Kloska ... Suzy's friend (Break-up scene only)
"Are you happy in your life?" -Poppy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Brit director Mike Leigh follows up his abortionist melodrama "Vera Drake" with a truly "pro-life" dra-medy that will infuriate the terminally morose and tickle those who know there's more to life than negativity!
3-1/4 stars (2 views) [(2008)UK/Miramax/Rated R]- (1 hr 58 min)
Written & Directed by Mike Leigh
Cast ... Lead character:
Sally Hawkins ... Poppy (age 30/Single/Teacher)
Review:
"'The Road to Reality' ... don't want to go in there." -Poppy
Gray skies and low-key dramas are the hallmark of the autumn Oscar season, but this year an unlikely curmudgeon by the name of Mike Leigh ("Vera Drake") offers up the fall's first ray of sunshine!
It may be unfair to call the famed British director a "total" curmudgeon since he has made comedies in the past, like the period biography "Topsy-Turvy" (1999) and the 'Odd Couple'-esque "Secrets & Lies" (1996) plus the darker dra-medy "All or Nothing" (2002).
"All or Nothing" marked the first time actress Sally Hawkins (BBC-TV's "Persuasion") had worked with Leigh, and he used her once again in "Vera Drake," however both roles were very small parts.
Obviously the veteran director must have noticed some spark of "star quality" in the relatively new actress and his instincts proved correct as Hawkins now turns in a layered, Oscar-caliber performance as the terminally-positive "Poppy."
This is one of the few Oscar nominees that might brighten your spirits, so watch it in the springtime for the full 'happiness effect'!
"It's hard work bein' a grown-up." -Poppy
Main crew:
Original Music by Gary Yershon
Cinematography by Dick Pope
Editor: Jim Clark
Cast ... Supporting characters:
Eddie Marsan... Scott (The Driving Instructor)
Alexis Zegerman ... Zoe (The Best Friend & Roommate)
Karina Fernandez ... Flamenco Teacher (Spanish Dance class scenes only)
Sylvestra Le Touzel ... Heather (Poppy's boss/School principal)
Kate O'Flynn ... Suzy (Poppy's kid sister/University student)
Caroline Martin ... Helen (Poppy's married & very-pregnant sister)
Oliver Maltman ... Jamie (Helen's husband)
Samuel Roukin ... Tim (Social worker for kids)
Jack MacGeachin ... Nick (School bully)
Stanley Townsend ... Tramp
MOVIE website
Additional cast (from IMDbPRO.com):
Andrea Riseborough ... Dawn (Poppy's Brunette pal)
Sinead Matthews ... Alice (Poppy's Blonde pal)
Sarah Niles ... Tash (Poppy's African-UK pal/teacher)
Nonso Anozie ... Ezra (Clinic Chiropractor)
Elliot Cowan ... Bookseller
Joseph Kloska ... Suzy's friend (Break-up scene only)
"Are you happy in your life?" -Poppy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++