I rented Happy-Go-Lucky from redbox on a whim. It felt like one of those films that, after missing its time in theatres, I would never watch. But I did. At first it seemed almost pointless to me and I only continued because I always finish movies. By the end, however, I was in awe. The beauty and meaning of this film snuck up on me completely. To watch the transformation of an actor and the character they personify, but only realize it at the film’s closing as you examine yourself…is incredible. Mike Leigh definitely delivers a surprising and gorgeous film that everyone should give a chance. Don’t give up. It’s so worth it: a two-hour film that allows you to see who you are and makes you wonder if there’s some piece of joy right in front of you that you might be missing.

I just fell in love with Happy-Go-Lucky. Sally Hawkins is amazing and deserved an Oscar nod. You start out the moving thinking she’s basically a nutter, and you kind of end up the movie with that impression as well, but somewhere along the line you begin to understand her and why she is the way she is, and question why you can’t look at life with the same joyful outlook as she does. It’s a nice change of pace from some of Mike Leigh’s other recent movies (Vera Drake, All or Nothing, Secrets & Lies), which are much more serious. If you have to have a lot of action and plot twists, this isn’t the film for you. However, if you can enjoy a good character films, this is definitely one to check out.