Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)--4/5

It's a big deal when Poppy (Sally Hawkins) has to confront her deeply troubled driving instructor, Scott (Eddie Marsan). Until now, he's been merely humorless. Poppy interacts with him like she does with anyone else--with boundless effervescence. If it fails to lighten his mood, no matter. At least she tries.

Scott gets it into his head that Poppy likes him. After he sees her with a new boyfriend, the subsequent argument finally forces her to--well, I want to say get serious. But Poppy's bliss is no act. Mike Leigh, working, as always, closely with the actors, has created a very adult character. Poppy is a grade school teacher, she gets drunk with her friends, and she goes out on dates. She just does all of these things with childlike aplomb.

Anyway, the argument forces her to drop the smile, to actually be unhappy. In a movie about a perennially happy person, this is a deeply moving development. She's met someone with immunity via repressed anger; he's beyond help. The moment Poppy realizes this is one I won't soon forget.