Sunday 19 April 2015

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008 Mike Leigh & scr)

Sally Hawkins is frankly astonishing in Mike Leigh's terrific film, which was completely overlooked by BAFTA. Her character is funny, sharp, brave, plucky and irrepressibly optimistic. Unexpectedly deep in its scenes with dispossessed and mentally problematic Stanley Townsend and in dealing with victimised kid with social worker Samuel Roukin (it's all in the eyes). Not to mention great long takes with Eddie Marsan. Alexis Zegerman is her best friend (and these two have really travelled), Sylvestra le Touzel the head, Sarah Niles a fellow teacher.

Karina Fernandez (also in Mr Turner and Another Year) is great as the flamenco teacher.

Shot by Dick Pope and edited by Jim Clark.

A real achievement.

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