HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
RYAN: Tell me all about “Happy-Go-Lucky.” I didn’t get to go the screening with you.
CAROLINE: It’s the new movie from Mike Leigh, who I enjoy very much as a director. He also made “Secrets & Lies” and the excellent “Vera Drake.”
RYAN: Which starred Professor Umbridge.
CAROLINE: Also known to adults as Imelda Staunton. I’ve really enjoyed Mike Leigh’s movies in the past, so I was psyched to check this one out. It’s a little random though, I must say. It’s very British and it’s got no famous people in it. It’s about this cute English girl who’s very optimistic and friendly and wacky. She’s a teacher, and wears funky clothes and rides her bike everywhere. She’s like an adult Punky Brewster.
RYAN: Is she crazy or cool?
CAROLINE: She’s not crazy, but she and her friends love to party and there are several scenes of them coming home drunk in the wee hours. Not a lot happens, honestly. It’s basically about her friends and the fun times they have together. Also, her bike gets stolen early on so she decides to take driving lessons from a grumpy guy.
RYAN: So what’s the point of the movie?
CAROLINE: I think the message is that she’s just a really positive person who makes the best of whatever life gives her. And she has a contentious relationship with this surly driving teacher.
RYAN: Does she fall in love with him?
CAROLINE: You would think; but that’s not actually what happens.
RYAN: So where’s the drama in this movie? I’d at least like to see her fall in love.
CAROLINE: Well, I didn’t say there was no love interest; I just said it wasn’t her driving instructor.
RYAN: Fair enough.
CAROLINE: I enjoyed the movie, though as it went along I started to realize it wasn’t really going anywhere. It’s not one of Mike Leigh’s best.
RYAN: I can’t say I have much interest in it. Are you recommending it? What’s your bottom line?
CAROLINE: For Mike Leigh fans, you know you’re gonna see it, so just see it. It’s charming and sweet, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the scope and story of some of his previous films.
RYAN: So you shouldn’t go in with high expectations.
CAROLINE: Correct. It’s very light and cute. The British girls are all funny with their very unposh accents. But it’s definitely not a must-see in the theater.