Underplayed Gems

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

Happy-Go-Lucky poster
Directed by
Mike Leigh
Genre
drama film, comedy film, comedy drama
Country
United Kingdom
Runtime
1h 58m
Rated
R
Rating
6.6 of 10 from 510 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A relentlessly cheerful primary school teacher navigates her everyday life in London with a sunny disposition. Her optimism contrasts with the people around her who are more cynical and troubled.

upbeatquirkygentleobservationalwarmbittersweetcharacter-drivenlighthearted

What happens

Happy-Go-Lucky is a 2008 British comedy-drama film, written and directed by Mike Leigh. It stars Sally Hawkins as a cheerful and optimistic London primary school teacher, with Eddie Marsan and Alexis Zegerman in supporting roles. Happy-Go-Lucky premiered on 12 February 2008 at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, where Hawkins won the Silver Bear for Best Actress. Upon its wide release in April, the film went on to gross $18.7 million at the worldwide box office. Happy-Go-Lucky was well received by critics, who praised Leigh's direction and screenplay, as well as the performances of Hawkins and Marsan. At the 66th Golden Globe Awards, Hawkins won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. At the 81st Academy Awards, Leigh was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

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