Happy-Go-Lucky

Apr 18 2008

AS WELL as starring in four episodes of Little Britain, London-born actress Sally Hawkins has played Zena in Tipping the Velvet, Mary Shelley in Byron, Mary in The Painted Veil and Anne Elliot in Persuasion.

And she clearly made a big impression on Mike Leigh while starring as Susan in his last movie, Vera Drake, three years ago.

Now at 31, she gives an unforgettable performance here as a primary school teacher called Poppy.

Leigh hangs the entire film on her extraordinary ability to be happy most of the time - almost as if she's just walked out of The X Factor group, Same Difference.

After a career including Life Is Sweet, Secrets & Lies and Topsy-Turvy, Leigh is an all-round filmmaker.

He's got two Oscar nominations for directing and three for scripts, but the Salford veteran has often been too austere or snail-slow to reap huge box office rewards.

Showing only at Cineworld Broad Street, Happy-Go-Lucky deserves packed houses.

Sally's performance is worth the admission alone, right down to her taste for orange knickers and pink bra when needing physiotherapy.

The 118-minute film doesn't have anywhere to go, except to illustrate how there's nothing wrong with people being happy in their own bubble.

As with Abigail's Party and Secrets & Lies, Leigh contrives a classic family gathering full of embarrassing moments that are as cutting as any western shoot-out.

Meanwhile, Eddie Marsan (The Illusionist / Sixty Six) gives another mesmerising performance.

As driving instructor Scott, he will put off people wanting to learn as well as anyone who thinks it's a career soft option.