Happy-Go-Lucky

Aroview: An optimistic if not exactly 'feel-good' comedy-drama from veteran dir. Mike Leigh, about a London primary school teacher who greets the trials of her life and those around her with an implacable smile.

While it's a move away from 'tragedy', the director can't resist throwing in a malcontent (here a driving instructor) not just as a foil for the title character but also to impose some kind of trademark statement about English working class rage. Leigh's usual film-making methodology of letting the actors build the script through improvisation serves him only so well here, it comes off as primarily a character piece is search of narrative, and ultimately feels a little inconsequential. Sally Hawkins is an appealing presence in the lead role, but her character quirks won't be for all tastes.