08.15.08
Savouring “Happy-Go-Lucky,” The Feel Good Film of the Year So Far?
Fataculture has just seen “Happy-Go-Lucky,” the latest from the usually sombre director Mike Leigh. I am in no rush to review it, it only opens in the US in October and is released in the UK on DVD next week, but I will say how absolutely delightful and complex it is. Sally Hawkins owns the film, who already won the Silver Bear at Berlin for her performance, and I think that if Miramax plays their cards right, they could have one of their lightest, most charming films in contention for a couple of golden statuettes come Oscar season – their “Appaloosa” is a potential candidate as well. But that’s getting ahead of it all.
It is first and foremost a free-flowing, cheerful indie gem with an air of naiveté about it – it’s flawed for the most part and nonsensical at times, but it offers an unwaveringly positive disposition and interesting commentary on of London’s societal structure that is difficult to ignore. “Happy-Go-lucky” is set to bow at the Toronto Film Festival this year, and I am curious to hear what others make of it
My full review will be up at a more appropriate time, but for the mean time, check out the trailer featuring Fataculture favourite Kate Nash’s “Merry Happy,” and tell me what you think.
Mike M said,
August 15, 2008 at 6:04 pm
seems very feel goody.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:15 pm
It really is more than that Mike, even though the trailer would have you believe otherwise. It was exactly what I needed to get rid of these blues I have been having. I think you’d like it.
Marcy said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I agree with Mike–very feel-goody seems like the appropriate way to describe the trailer. It’s also lighthearted, funny, and Sally Hawkins finally looks like a promising Oscar contender to me.
“Merry Happy” is such a nice song too. Fits the mood of the trailer quite nicely…
cjKennedy said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Yeah! This one is shaping up to be one of my more anticipated fall releases.
Craig Kennedy said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:31 pm
:o Did I just get spammed??? Anyway, I wanted to add that I wish they’d fire almost all the guys who do the voices in trailers. They ruin almost every trailer for me.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Marcy – I love you. Seriously, just, ugh, I love you.
Craig – you weren’t spammed, somehow you used an email address that I am guessing is an older one that you have never used here before, so I had to “moderate” you, and then your other comment popped up.
I don’t like the trailer much (and the voice-over is annoying), it’s not a fair indication of what the film is like and it will certainly drum up interest for the film, but the film is so much better than the trailer. I am super glad I got to see it this early – I missed it when it played at a festival here last week – because it is not actually on the SA release schedule right now.
Craig Kennedy said,
August 15, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Yeah, usually when I comment here, I’m logged into wordpress so it uses that ID, but if I forget to log in, it uses different sign-in info…I know that makes little sense, but every since I moved my blog off the wordpress servers…oh nevermind, I’ll just confuse the issue further.
ANYWAY…your word is the 2nd good word I’ve heard about this. Kris Tapley also liked it, so even though I kind of hate the trailer, I’m looking forward to it.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Don’t worry, I understand :)
I first heard about the film over at In Contention months ago and became interested, and then I got more excited to see it, and by the power of sheer visualisation, it popped up on the press screening list – and here we are.
It’s a sweet movie, sometimes bittersweet even, but I don’t think it is the type of movie that will benefit from too much hype – I think you’ll either love it, or like it (or hate it if you have no soul). It deserves to be seen, and for that, I think the trailer is a good thing, it’s very commercially tuned. I am talking such nonsense.
Fox said,
August 15, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Wow! You don’t know how much you’ve just turned my boring office environment into a happy place! On two hands, Mike Leigh is one of my favorites, and I have been anticipating this all year.
Despite the fact that I am envious of you being able to see it already :) , I’m glad to hear your endorsement of it.
Is this more feel goody than like Career Girls or High Hopes or Life Is Sweet? Not that those are all-around feel goods, but they definitely aren’t Naked or Vera Drake.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I think it is his most feel good film ever – completely different to “Naked” and “Vera Drake,” obviously, but his stylistic signature is very much present. It’s as warm a film as the trailer suggests, but it isn’t all sunshine and daisies, its so much more than just the “feel good” aspect of it.
Fox said,
August 15, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I’m also glad to see Sally Hawkins doing so well. I first saw her in Leigh’s All or Nothing and she was fantastic. Although, Leigh’s actors usually are… Broadbent, Spall, Thewlis, Cartlige, Brethen… it goes on.
Justin said,
August 15, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Cannot wait to see this. Wish I saw it at the DIFF, damn it.
Sam Juliano said,
August 15, 2008 at 10:08 pm
This is so exciting Nick, and it’s hight YOU got the jump on it!!! I love Leigh, and wouldn’t dream of skipping a single one of his films. Good differentiation there between VERA DRAKE and NAKED, this one I guess in temperament is closer to SECRETS AND LIES.
Take your time savoring it a bit before tackling the review, although I’ll be looking for it.
Kerry said,
August 15, 2008 at 10:12 pm
This I want to see too…I shall see it at Toronto, and I am looking forward to it indeed.
Nick Plowman said,
August 15, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Aw Just, I feel for you bud, but I am sure Video Spot will have it soon, like early September or something.
Thanks Sam, I think it is a great treat for Leigh fans to see him tackle something a little more different, a little more upbeat than we are used to. I am no Leigh expert, but I do think the film is vastly different to what he has done in the past – thanks to Hawkins’ performance as well.
Kerry – It’s weird, every time you post a comment, it says “Justin” instead of “Kerry” for a while, and then it changes by itself. So strange! Anyway, you’re in for a heart-warming treat I think.
As soon as someone tells me I am over hyping this film, I will shut up, that is not my intention at all – it’s FAR from a perfect film, but it made me feel happier than any other film this year.
J.D. said,
August 16, 2008 at 12:58 am
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
This is so gonna happy. You know how we love our cutely annoying Brits in feel-goody movies! And especially after seeing her in Cassandra’s Dream, I LOVE HER.
UGH. Once again, Nick, I’m very, very jealous.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:13 am
I want to see her in “Cassandra’s Dream”! When is that freaking movie going to open here!!!
I think you’d like it JD, don’t be jealous of me, you’ll see it soon enough.
J.D. said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:21 am
Oh, I know I will. :)
And Cassandra’s ain’t that good, sadly, outside of Farrell and Hawkins, really. It has some nice cinematography and a good score (which is Philip Glass ripping off his other scores without showing any effort).
Still, IDK.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:32 am
I remember your review of it man, and its a pity that it wasn’t better, but as a fan of both Farrell and Hawkins, I should see if it is out on DVD or something here. It probably is, but my stupid ass just is too damn lazy to go look.
Okay, so I just checked, and it is not here. Seriously, you know? Just. Seriously.
J.D. said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:33 am
It’ll come eventually. *hugs*
Scoop is a helluva lot better, though…
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:43 am
I liked “Scoop” to a certain extent, but if CDream is worse…oh boy.
J.D. said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:46 am
My point.
It’s SO heavy-handed and unfocused and sometimes really stupid. I wanted to strangle Hayley Atwell with her own unmoving, expressionless face.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 1:57 am
LOL.
Here’s to hoping Vicky Cristina Barcelona rocks…
Fox said,
August 16, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’m with JD on thinking Scoop was better, but I would still check out Cassandra’s Dream if only for Farrell’s performance. I though Scarlett was adorable in Scoop btw.
Having said that, I’m a die-hard Woody guy so it’s hard for me to be objective when it comes to his films. Even in his worst – Anything Else, in my opinion – I find something enjoyable.
Nick, forgive me for not knowing this, but where do you live? Curious that CD hasn’t opened wherever you are.
Matthew Lucas said,
August 16, 2008 at 8:08 am
I’ve seen this too, and quite enjoyed it, although I’m not sure if I would call it the feel good film of the year. I loved Sally Hawkins, even if I didn’t think her character was completely developed as well as it could have been.
It’s not up to the level of Leigh’s work in VERA DRAKE, and I don’t think it will match that film’s success with the Oscars.
Although comparing this film to VERA DRAKE is a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but in Leigh’s cannon, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY is sort of an inconsequential entry, charming as it is.
Kerry said,
August 16, 2008 at 9:45 am
I also liked “Scoop” more, but I didn’t really enjoy either.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 9:57 am
Fox, same with me, I too always find something endearing about his films – bu I do feel sad that I have yet to see a recent one of his that I have loved.
I live in South Africa Fox, the land of few movies. I’m kidding, but sometimes if movies don’t do that well critically or box-office wise in the States, it doesn’t open here in cinemas, we get it straight on DVD. But that hasn’t happened either, which is weird.
Matt, I hear you, I get it, I too am not sure whether or not to call it the feel good film of that year – even in the title of this post I said “The Feel Good Film of the Year So Far?” Like I said, it is a flawed film, a nonsensical film at times, inconsequential sometimes indeed – but I do think that Oscar love for Sally Hawkins and the screenplay are not out of the question. It is no where near as good as “Vera Drake,” but it is a charming depnarture from the Mike Leigh I am used to, and for that the film left me pleasantly surprised.
Guy Lodge said,
August 16, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Glad you like the film as much as I did, Nick, but I’m puzzled that you describe it as “nonsensical.” It’s loosely structured, sure, but has a very crisp thematic throughline. I also think it goes a lot deeper than the various feelgood/lightweight descriptions indicate: I found the film had a lot to say about the social fabric of modern London.
I’m still betting on an underdog Best Picture nom for the film, given Miramax’s rather thin field – Kris, however, thinks I’m dreaming.
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Yes, it is most definitely deeper than simply being a “feel good” film, it’s got a socially conscious melancholy that, as you say, describes the striking difference of London’s societal structure (which I have never actually witnessed first hand, my limited knowledge comes from what I see in films, hear on the news, what I read etc), and perhaps I should have phrased my inclusion of the term “nonsensical” a little more clearly – I am well known for making little sense from time to time.
When I said the film was nonsensical at times, I meant that the narrative strands do not always connect into an amalgamated story and a lot of the time it focuses heavily on the silliness/irrationality of character exchanges – not that this is a bad thing at all, it’s actually rather interesting how much everything relies on Poppy’s effervescence, and it is that nonsensicality that gives the film its distinctive atmosphere. I really do hope I manage to explain myself more clearly in my forthcoming review.
And hey, if it does somehow pull of that Best Pic nom, at least you can say you called it first.
Michael said,
August 16, 2008 at 10:01 pm
So looking forward to renting this next week!
Nick Plowman said,
August 16, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I wondered whether or not you had seen it Mike, and now I am curious to hear what you think next week. (p.s. send me a copy on DVD, please)
Matthew Lucas said,
August 17, 2008 at 12:21 am
I don’t see Best Pic in this film’s future at all…in fact I don’t see the Academy going for it in any category really. I could be wrong, but I think it’s far too unassuming for general Academy tastes. A pleasant film, but not a great one.
You never know with this crowd though.
Joss K. said,
August 17, 2008 at 10:52 am
Matthew, I thought it was pretty good, and Sally Hawkins is bound to get SOME kind of awards recognition. Seriously.
Nick Plowman said,
August 17, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Matt, perhaps it is just wishful thinking on my part, but like Joss, I really think/hope Hawkins gets some love. I think she deserves it, but I guess I should wait until I see the other possible contenders before I say too much. Needless to say, I think she and the screenplay were very good. Maybe not “awards recognition” good, but good nonetheless.
Matthew Lucas said,
August 18, 2008 at 2:47 am
I could see maybe a screenplay nod. MAYBE. But it really depends on how strong the contenders are that we have still yet to see.
Nick Plowman said,
August 18, 2008 at 7:58 am
That is true mate. I’m still going to cross my fingers.
Daniel said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Got it on my radar. The Best Pic race always needs light fare. Is there much else up against this one that could be in the running for that slot?
Nick Plowman said,
August 19, 2008 at 7:55 pm
As far as I know – off the top of my head – there isn’t anything else that could fill the “light Oscar fare” void. There are a hell of a lot of dark, dramatic films, so perhaps it could stand out. I just doubt its prospects as a potential Best Picture nominee, idk.
Daniel said,
August 19, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Ahem, well I could have said that about both Juno and Little Miss Sunshine…
>-P
Nick Plowman said,
August 19, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Yeah well, Juno and LMS are better, even if barely comparable. I used to think myself an Oscar prognosticator, but now its just so damn hard to even begin to think about the Oscars when I have seen so few films this year, let alone Oscar worthy films.
J.D. said,
August 19, 2008 at 8:58 pm
But it’s August?
Nick Plowman said,
August 19, 2008 at 9:11 pm
It’s hard for me, not everyone else. I already made my predix way back, but I am not ready to update them just yet.
Salmaya said,
August 23, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I am so looking forward to this, and I get what you are saying Nick that it is not going to be as “feel-good” as some people make it out to be, anyone who doesn’t get the gist of your post obviously didn’t read it properly
Nick Plowman said,
August 23, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I appreciate that Salmaya, a lot actually.
E Hill said,
August 23, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I am so jealous that you have seen this!
Nick Plowman said,
August 23, 2008 at 11:42 pm
You only have to wait until October 10th…or you can order it from Amazon.uk…it’s not that long a wait.
E Hill said,
August 24, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I might just do that, order it on DVD I mean, I am a huge Mike Leigh and Sally Hawkins fan.
Kerry said,
August 24, 2008 at 12:19 pm
From here (http://tinyurl.com/4kb5rb) to be exact.
Nick Plowman said,
August 26, 2008 at 9:42 am
Yeah, that’s where I got mine.
Jerry said,
August 26, 2008 at 9:45 am
I do want to see this, Sally Hawkins is a humdinger.
Salmaya said,
August 31, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Mr. Wells response to this film was so weird.
Nick Plowman said,
August 31, 2008 at 3:37 pm
“emotional fascism” LOL
Matthew Lucas said,
September 1, 2008 at 12:43 am
I pretty much agreed with the basic premise of what Wells was saying.
Nick Plowman said,
September 1, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I didn’t so, but its all good.
AlphaDog said,
September 2, 2008 at 4:29 pm
You’ve seen this already? I hate you.
Nick Plowman said,
September 2, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Please don’t hate me, I usually never see stuff early.
AlphaDog said,
September 3, 2008 at 9:06 am
Well thanks for not overhyping it like some, and I still am not sure what exactly to expect from the film, I hope I am surprised.
Nick Plowman said,
September 7, 2008 at 1:59 am
Aren’t you going to TIFF? If you are, you’ll see it soon anyways.
Kerry said,
September 9, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Nick….I just saw this and…..loved it. Everyone who is against Sally Hawkins’ character just doesn’t get it, and Wells missed the plot in a big way I think. Look forward to your review mate.
Nick Plowman said,
September 10, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Super glad you liked it! My review will be up in October. I want to see the film again.
Matthew Lucas said,
September 11, 2008 at 3:17 am
I get it…I just don’t like her.
Kerry said,
September 11, 2008 at 6:40 am
Fair enough.