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Happy-Go-Lucky Review

Movies.com Critics

5.0

Dave White Profile

You'll love her and hate her... Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 5.0
    84

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Universal acclaim
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    This is Mike Leigh's funniest film since "Life Is Sweet" (1991). Of course he hasn't ever made a completely funny film, and Happy-Go-Lucky has scenes that are not funny, not at all.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety

    Mike Leigh's mellowest work yet, and his most purely entertaining.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Ray Bennett

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

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  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    As is always the case with Leigh's protagonists, Poppy does not fit into a schematic log line, she simply is. She exists with an intensity that few other filmmakers' characters can manage because of the singular way Leigh creates his people.

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  • 88

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    It is that rare film that is equal parts entertaining, life-affirming and thought-provoking.

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  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times 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.

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  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The London universe Leigh creates (employing his trademark improv techniques to unite his ensemble, many of whom make their film debuts) isn't so much a reality as a hope, and an invitation to find joy and grace in everyday moments.

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  • See all Happy-Go-Lucky reviews at Metacritic.com

Fan Reviews provided by

5

A resounding OVATION at the end of this movie's advance press screening... by MOVIES REVIEWER
...overwhelmingly summed up the high-caliber of film-making, thematic exploration/analysis, and first-rate performances by talented thespians in Happy-Go-Lucky/HGL - a charming profound British comedy by talented and dedicated director Mike Leigh. HGL revolves around Poppy (a 30-yo primary schoolteacher with a intrinsic GENUINELY sunny cheerful optimistic compassionate good personality) and her interactions with other characters - juxtaposed in situations that challenged her optimistic disposition while providing us with a deeper insight into human behavior and conditions. In the face of adversities, her resilience proved remarkable - revealed that her character as also both thoughtful and complex. Sally Hawkins (Poppy) ought to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. Ultimately, HGL is a study, exploration, and analysis of the elusive human condition - HAPPINESS. VERDICT: HIGHLY-recommended For the discerning cultivated movie-goer, a MUST-SEE. GRADE: Solid A

5

Happy-go-lucky by jake1221
Wonderful acting, especially by Sally Hawkins. On one level it is a story about a quirky, happy-go-lucky woman who seems to be laughing through life. But on another level you see her taking the things that matter in life - her job, her relationships, very seriously. Leave it to Mike Leigh to teach a lesson painlessly and with style.

4

similar to mike leigh's naked by oc5awcupant
using an annoyingly optimistic lead instead of a dire one the underlying results are the same a person with an egocentric view of the world tries to make others bow to their will

4

Happy Go Lucky - Fun & Deep at the same time! by producerloren
There was so much more than met the eye - and I thoroughly enjoyed this film! It came across as shallow and fun - but there were much deeper levels to the relationships and plotlines than you'd imagine. Great performances...fun film...witty dialogue...truly enjoyable!

4

Happiness really is a state of mind by RandytheMovieFan
This was a delightful movie if you're looking for a chick flick or a date movie. The 2 hours went by pretty quickly. No explosions, no terrorist plots, just a slice of life movie. It revolves around a 30-year old school teacher in London who can find happiness in just every aspect of her life, or least doesn't despair for long when things go awry. You will leave with a smile on your face and stuff to talk about afterwards (just what was the point of the homeless man?). Warning - if you're naturally dour and look for the negative in everything, this movie will frustrate you and might make you want to tear your hair out.

5

Is happiness a choice or disposition? by snarkymikey
There's something about watching how a happy person encounters the world. This is a deeply philosophic film about the supernatural ability the happiness endows. The best part of the film was when her sister tried to get her to conform to the mediocre ideals of what happiness is -- getting married, financial stability, raising children... and the sister becomes furious that Poppy has none of these things yet remains truly happy. And the fact that Poppy attracts a wonderful man into her life, all because of how she engages with the world around her. She does encounter bumps and bruises, but even those events turn to lightness. Really a humble positive film.

2

Happy-Go-Lucky by Newbold
Bummer!! This was not AT ALL the light and cheery movie I had hoped to see based on movie reviews. I wanted to escape from the worries of the economy and the election, and just have a fun and enjoyable evening. Instead of the cheery and happy movie that reviewers talked about, this was a slice of working class London with a ditzy but loveable main character whose personality doesn't really get developed, and a lot of bizarre and often very troubled people she encounters. Nothing is resolved with all the messed up folks she runs into, and the romantic interest seems lukewarm. I was just very disappointed at how far off this movie was from the way the reviews presented it.

3

no real conflict by renge-kun
Slice of life film with no real conflict or purpose. I enjoyed it, for the most part, but felt a little unfulfilled.

4

An Absolute Joy by lapetitefroufrou
Sally Hawkins is dazzling, giving one of my favorite performances of the years. This film isn't for everybody, though; some may find Poppy extremely irritating. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed the film and found it charming. It left a smile on my face and raised some interesting questions. Is happiness a way of looking at the world, a choice that Poppy makes every day? The scenes with Hawkins and Eddie Marsan are especially great.

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