Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh (writer)

Release Date:

18 April 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The one movie this fall that will put a smile on your face.

Plot:

A look at a few chapters in the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to exasperate those around her.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Flamenco | Driving | School | Happiness

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 20 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Sally Hawkins	...	Poppy
Elliot Cowan	...	Bookshop Assistant
Alexis Zegerman	...	Zoe
Andrea Riseborough	...	Dawn
Sinead Matthews	...	Alice (as Sinéad Matthews)
Kate O'Flynn	...	Suzy
Sarah Niles	...	Tash
Eddie Marsan	...	Scott
Joseph Kloska	...	Suzy's Boyfriend
Sylvestra Le Touzel	...	Heather
Anna Reynolds	...	Receptionist
Nonso Anozie	...	Ezra
Trevor Cooper	...	Patient
Karina Fernandez	...	Flamenco Teacher
Philip Arditti	...	Flamenco Student
Viss Elliot Safavi	...	Flamenco Student (as Viss Elliot)
Rebekah Staton	...	Flamenco Student
Jack MacGeachin	...	Nick
Charlie Duffield	...	Charlie
Ayotunde Williams	...	Ayotunde
Stanley Townsend	...	Tramp
Samuel Roukin	...	Tim
Caroline Martin	...	Helen
Oliver Maltman	...	Jamie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stephanie Cannon	...	Flamenco Student (uncredited)
Tim Glanfield	...	Man in Pub (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Leigh

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mike Leigh		writer

Produced by
Simon Channing Williams	....	producer
James Clayton	....	executive producer
Gail Egan	....	executive producer
David Garrett	....	executive producer
Georgina Lowe	....	co-producer
Duncan Reid	....	executive producer
Tessa Ross	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Gary Yershon

Cinematography by
Dick Pope

Film Editing by
Jim Clark

Casting by
Nina Gold

Production Design by
Mark Tildesley

Art Direction by
Patrick Rolfe		(supervising art director)
Denis Schnegg

Set Decoration by
Michelle Day

Costume Design by
Jacqueline Durran

Makeup Department
Christine Blundell	....	hair designer
Christine Blundell	....	make up designer
Chloe Meddings	....	makeup assistant
Lesa Warrener	....	makeup artist (as Lesa Warner)
Chloe Meddings	....	junior hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Danielle Brandon	....	production supervisor
Polly Duval	....	post-production supervisor
Fiona Morham	....	head of production: UK Film Council

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Abbie Browne	....	second assistant director
Chloe Chesterton	....	second assistant director
Melanie Heseltine	....	third assistant director
Serena Plunkett	....	third assistant director
Josh Robertson	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Bruce Barnes	....	site supervisor
Jon Bates	....	assistant stand-by props
Andrea Bond	....	scenic painter
Gillian Campbell	....	scenic painter
Phil Claxton	....	scenic painter (as Phil Claxon)
Dan Crandon	....	construction manager
Matt Danko	....	scenic painter
Quentin Davies	....	prop storeman
Katrina Dunn	....	assistant art director
Arwel Evans	....	stand-by art director
David Gray	....	stand-by rigger
Nadine Herrmann	....	art department assistant
Jason Htay	....	carpenter
Ben Johnson	....	stand-by props
Garry Moore	....	stand-by carpenter
Lara Murray	....	scenic painter
Tim Powis	....	workshop supervisor
Kathryn Pyle	....	production buyer
Ben Rai-Green	....	carpenter
Ifan Ramage	....	dressing props
Jody Raynes	....	supervising scenic painter
Simon Scullion	....	scenic painter
Nick Thomas	....	property master
Mick Treend	....	carpenter
Paul Trend	....	carpenter (as Paul Treend)
Libby Uppington	....	dressing props
Mark Wallis	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Anthony Bayman	....	adr recordist
Jason Canovas	....	dialogue editor
Ben Collinson	....	sound assistant
Robert Farr	....	sound re-recording mixer
Les Fiddess	....	foley artist
Tim Fraser	....	sound recordist
Simon Hewitt	....	foley artist
Alex Hudd	....	sound consultant: dolby
Lionel Johnson	....	assistant sound editor
Lionel Johnson	....	assistant sound editor
Martin Oswin	....	foley mixer
Mark Paterson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Schwalbe	....	foley editor
Steve Schwalbe	....	foley supervisor
Alastair Sirkett	....	additional sound effects editor
Nigel Stone	....	sound re-recording mixer
Nigel Stone	....	supervising sound editor
Andy Thompson	....	adr mixer
William Towers	....	sound maintenance engineer (as Will Towers)
Tom Barrow	....	boom operator: daily (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Ben Bradley	....	digital artist

Camera and Electrical Department
John Clark	....	electrician
Pearce Crowley	....	camera trainee (as Pearse Crowley)
John Evans	....	clapper loader
Kevin Fitzpatrick	....	best boy
Stefan Kopec	....	stand-by rigger
Tom Lea	....	electrician
Simon Mein	....	still photographer
Matthew Moffat	....	gaffer
Gavin Ogden	....	electrician
Mike Parsons	....	electrician
Dick Pope	....	camera operator
Terry Roberts	....	electrician
Gordon Segrove	....	focus puller
Colin Strachan	....	grip
Neil Flaherty	....	second assistant camera: dailies (uncredited)

Casting Department
Robert Sterne	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
David Crossman	....	costume supervisor
Holly Waddington	....	assistant costume designer
Tamsin Wright	....	wardrobe mistress

Editorial Department
Greg Barrett	....	digital intermediate producer
Stephen Bearman	....	film scanner
Gavin Buckley	....	first assistant editor
John Claude	....	digital intermediate colorist
Hanh Nguyen	....	editor trainee: FT2
Paul Shore	....	on-line editor
Rachael Watmough	....	digital intermediate coordinator
Jo Dale	....	assistant editor (uncredited)
J.D. Funari	....	trailer editor (uncredited)
Lance Spindler	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Mat Bartram	....	assistant music engineer
Mark Berrow	....	musician: violin
Terry Davies	....	conductor
Calna de la Mare	....	musician: violin
Liz Edwards	....	musician: violin
Andrew Findon	....	musician: flute (as Andy Findon)
Clare Finnimore	....	musician: viola
Andrew Glen	....	music editor (as Andy Glen)
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor
William Hawkes	....	musician: viola (as Bill Hawkes)
Patrick Herrild	....	musician: euphonium
Tim Jones	....	musician: french horn
Julian Leaper	....	musician: violin
Tim Lines	....	musician: clarinet
Rita Manning	....	musician: violin
John Parricelli	....	musician: guitar
Colin Rae	....	music preparation
George Robertson	....	musician: viola
Nina Robertson	....	musician: flute
Kleanthi Savidge	....	music clearances
Mary Scully	....	musician: bass
Richard Simpson	....	musician: oboe
Richard Skinner	....	musician: bassoon
Owen Slade	....	musician: euphonium
Sonia Slany	....	musician: lead violin
Sonia Slany	....	orchestra leader
Gary Thomas	....	music recording engineer
Derek Watkinson	....	musician: trumpet

Transportation Department
Paul Brosnan	....	transportation captain: facilities
Danny Brown	....	transportation captain: facilities
Simon Dennis	....	unit driver
John Doran	....	unit driver
Nigel Howard	....	driver: facilities
Steve John	....	driver: facilities
Mick Joslyn	....	driver: unit minibus
Andy Levitt	....	driver: facilities
Martin Walsh	....	driver: facilities
David N. Williams	....	driver: facilities (as David Williams)

Other crew
Chris Allies	....	title designer
Rhona Allsworth	....	insurance: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Pip Ayers	....	epk unit: Special Treats (as Pip Ayres)
Debbie Banbury-Morley	....	clearance advisor (as Debbie Banbury)
Isabel Baquero	....	choreographer
Isabel Baquero	....	flamenco dance consultant
Nik Bower	....	production executive: Ingenious Film Partners
Colin Burrows	....	epk unit: Special Treats
Sally Caplan	....	head of premiere fund: UK Film Council
Jonah Coombes	....	location manager
Guillaume de Chalendar	....	commercial affairs: Ingenious Film Partners
Graham Easton	....	completion bond: Film Finances Ltd
Will Evans	....	head of business affairs: UK Film Council
Karen Fayerty	....	unit nurse
Mark Fielding	....	finance: Ingenious Film Partners
Gretta Finer	....	legal services: Filmn4
Ellen Fraser	....	legal and business affairs: Ingenious Media Services Limited
Paul Grindey	....	head of business affairs: Film4
Oliver Hazell	....	floor runner
Vinnie Holden	....	head of production finance: UK Film Council (as Vince Holden)
Edith Kähler	....	assistant to producer
Nick Kay	....	production runner (as Nicholas Kay)
Hannah Lamb	....	location trainee
Bek Leigh	....	accountant: Thin Man Films
Clem Leneghan	....	health and safety advisor (as Clem Lenergham)
Jo Littlejohn	....	accounting assistant
Andrew Matosich	....	legal counsel: Summit Entertainment
Sarah McBryde	....	production coordinator
Amy McCombe	....	assistant location manager
Justin Miller	....	assistant accountant
Jane Moore	....	distribution: Ingenious Film Partners
Tessa Morgan	....	secretary to producer
Clive Noakes	....	laboratory liaison
Robert Norris	....	solicitor
Kevin O'Shea	....	insurance: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Richard Philipps	....	solicitor
Jonathan Rutter	....	publicist: Premier PR
Justin Savage	....	epk unit: Special Treats
Heather Storr	....	script supervisor
Nikki Thornhill	....	insurance: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Peter Touche	....	operations: Ingenious Media Services Limited
Amie Tridgell	....	location assistant
Will Tyler	....	production accountant
Josh Yudkin	....	assistant location manager
Isabelle Duvoisin	....	press attache: France (uncredited)
Jérôme Jouneaux	....	press attache: France (uncredited)
Matthieu Rey	....	press attache: France (uncredited)
Helen Varty	....	assistant: Tessa Ross (uncredited)
Charlotte Wright	....	location scout (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Film4 (financed by)
• Ingenious Film Partners
• Summit Entertainment
• Thin Man Films
• UK Film Council

Distributors

• DeA Planeta Home Entertainment (2008) (Spain) (theatrical)
• MK2 Diffusion (2008) (France) (theatrical)
• Mikado (2008) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Momentum Pictures (2008) (UK) (theatrical)
• Odeon (2008) (Greece) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Rialto Entertainment (2008) (Australia) (theatrical)
• SP Films (2009) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2008) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Sponge (2008) (South Korea) (theatrical)
• TOBIS Film (2008) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Emerald (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Imagem Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (all media)
• Ledafilms (2009) (Mexico) (TV)
• Maple Pictures (2008) (Canada) (all media)
• Miramax Films (200?) (USA) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2008) (Finland) (all media)
• Sandrews (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Shani Films (2008) (Israel) (all media)
• Universum Film (UFA) (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Vendetta Films (2008) (New Zealand) (DVD)
• West Video (2008) (Russia) (all media)

Special Effects

• Special Effects GB (special effects)

Other Companies

• A&R Security  security
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• ARRI Lighting Rental  lighting
• Angel Studios  music recording and mixing facility
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies/mobiles
• Dining Bus Services  additional facilities
• Exposure Lab  still processing
• Fatts  post-production script services
• Film Finance  completion bond
• Fuji Photo Film  film stock provided by
• Go Truck  additional facilities
• Goldcrest Post Production London  sound re-recording facility (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Hare In The Gate  rushes courier (as Hare in the Gate)
• LEM Digital  avid editing equipment
• M&C Cars  additional unit cars
• MK Travel  unit minibuses
• Media Services  stationery supplier
• Midnight Digital  Dailies
• Midnight Transfer  digital grade
• Midnight Transfer  rushes telecine
• Moviemakers  additional facilities
• Movitech Camera Rentals  camera and grip equipment (as Movietech Camera Rentals)
• On Set Location Services  location vehicles (as On-Set Locations)
• Premier PR  publicity
• Reed Smith Richards Butler  solicitors
• Reel Vehicles  action vehicles
• Spats Catering Co.  catering
• Special Treats  epk unit

Also Known As:

Untitled Mike Leigh Project (UK) (working title)
La felicidad trae suerte (Argentina) (Peru) [es]
Be Happy (France) [fr]
Daima mutlu (Turkey: Turkish title) (festival title) [tr]
Hajrá, boldogság! (Hungary) [hu]
Happy Go Lucky - La felicità porta fortuna (Italy) [it]
Happy-Go-Lucky, czyli co nas uszczesliwia (Poland) [pl]
La dulce vida (Mexico) [es]
Samo bez brige (Croatia) [hr]
Simplesmente Feliz (Brazil) [pt]
Tyheri ki eftyhismeni (Greece) [el]
Um dia de cada vez (Portugal) [pt]

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | USA:R | Germany:6 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:IIA | France:U | South Korea:15 | UK:15 | Finland:K-7 | Sweden:7 | Singapore:PG | Mexico:B | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Camden, London, England, UK

Company:

Film4

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the build up to the final (aborted) driving lesson Scott (Eddie Marsan) is seen turning right into Holloway road (half way up and heading north), then moments later they are seen navigating the Highbury and Islington roundabout, turning into again into Holloway road about half a mile south of the previous location.

Quotes:

Scott: The road to Hell is paved by the path of good intentions.

Movie Connections:

References Splinter Cell (2002) (VG)

Soundtrack:

ABC

A cheerful film with an underlying vein of tragedy

Happy-Go-Lucky has been reviewed in the British press as a relatively lightweight Mike Leigh movie, but I'm not so sure. The story revolves around Sally Hawkins' remarkable performance as primary school teacher Poppy Cross, a highly unusual character in that Hawkins and Leigh between them manage to make her consistently cheerful and optimistic without being either naive or irritating. Poppy is presented as both relentlessly cheery and, on another level, remarkably intuitive; throughout the film, she has a series of encounters with troubled male figures (a boy in her class who has started bullying, a very strange homeless Irishman and, above all, her phenomenally uptight driving instructor Scott) and in all of them, Poppy's liveliness and friendly curiosity about other people is seen to be a powerful counter to male self-pity, anger and despair.

Hawkins' character is not someone who is inclined to let life get her down, so it's just as well that she is surrounded by people with a somewhat more sardonic or downbeat take on reality. Her flatmate Zoe (Alexis Zegerman, very good) is a wonderfully dry and sarky counter to Poppy's enthusiasm, although the affection between them is palpable. Poppy's younger sisters Suzy and Helen are also quite different; Suzy is a law student who is more interested in clubbing, drinking and playing with her brother-in-law's Playstation than in criminal justice, while Helen is heavily pregnant, obsessed with acquiring the trappings of a respectable suburban life and unable to understand how her older sister can be so happy living in a rented flat and not stepping onto the property ladder.

The big surprise for me is that I had been led to believe that this is a more or less straightforward feelgood film. It isn't. Scott, Poppy's driving teacher (Eddie Marsan), is the most affecting character in it, and one of the greatest and most unforgettable characters in Leigh's oeuvre. Most of the reviews I've read of the film depict Scott as a hateful, sinister or otherwise despicable character, but although it's true that he is an uptight, judgmental, angry bigot, it is also perfectly clear from his first appearance that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that he is driven by emotional problems that he hasn't even begun to get a handle on. Marsan's extraordinary performance is one of the best things I've seen on film for a long time. Scott has been afflicted with very bad teeth and a mild speech defect (he can't really say the letter 'r') and although his inner anger and bigotry is played for laughs for a lot of the film, in the end it is allowed to blossom forth in a riveting scene where his fury, jealousy and terror of his own darkness spill forth in a heartbreaking and riveting torrent. If part of the point of art is to help us to understand people we would otherwise have little sympathy with, then this film is a work of art. I've never seen Marsan before but he deserves awards for this movie, no question.

Happy-Go-Lucky is a highly enjoyable and often very funny film, but it also carries terrible sadness. I have never been a massive fan of Mike Leigh, but lately I have to admit that I was wrong. He just seems to get better and better.