I’ve already discussed how many critics seem to be misinterpreting Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky” and its protagonist, Poppy, by interpreting it as a sheer feelgood work — and in doing so, missing much of the film’s complex, subtle social observation.
So I’m glad to see that Mike Leigh has addressed the issue at a NYFF press conference. In this video courtesy of IFC.com, Leigh and the film’s star, Sally Hawkins, discuss with Lisa Schwarzbaum the issue of Poppy’s optimism, with Leigh stressing that there is a lot more to her character than simple cheeriness. First saying that “to desribe her as being unadulteratedly happy is not really to understand her at all,” her goes on to draw an interesting parallel between Poppy and the title character in the very differently-toned “Vera Drake.”
Finally, with a grin, he insists that while “Happy-Go-Lucky” is indeed “anti-miserablist,” it’s not necessarily the start of a trend in his work: “Wait until you see how depressing the next film might be!”
More from the conference here.
Comments
2 responses to “More than just happy”
Interesting observations. Though I don’t think feel good equals superficial. Being optimistic isn’t always so simple!
Absolutely right, Phoebe. That’s why I really like the comment Hawkins makes in this video — Poppy makes a choice to be happy. It isn’t intrinsic. She works at it. Where Hawkins’ performance gets most interesting is where she reveals the effort that goes into that choice.