Exclusive Clip: Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky

After two decades worth of mostly rough, Kleenex using, dramatic fair, writer/director Mike Leigh‘s more recent slice-of-life portrait of fellow Brits, is zero Kitchen Sink, and all happy face. Back in 04′, I unplugged all my phones after viewing Vera Drake, but Happy-Go-Lucky (Oct.10) is a rare, 180 degree spin around for the helmer. Featuring a bubbly Sally Hawkins, who I’m thinking might make it as a final five nom at the Oscars (replacing my misfire pick of Blanchett), the comedy was snapped up by Miramax Films at the Berlin Film Fest, who’ve fittingly set it for release during the month of October, with a showcase at the Toronto Film Festival early next week.  

We received an exclusive clip from the folks at Miramax — featuring Hawkins’ character Poppy taking up the flamenco. Here’s the synopsis and clip below.

Poppy, an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious and often the most elusive of all human qualities: happiness. Poppy’s ability to maintain her perspective is tested as the story begins and her commuter bike is stolen. However, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan), who turns out to be her nemesis – a fuming, uptight cynic. As the tension of their weekly lessons builds, Poppy encounters even more challenges to her positive state of mind: a fiery flamenco instructor, her bitter pregnant sister, a troubled homeless man and a young bully in her class, not to mention that she has also thrown out her back. How this affects not only Poppy’s world view but also the outlook of those around her begs the question “glass half full or half empty”?