Mike Leigh is 'Happy-Go-Lucky'

Time Out got an early peak at the new film from Mike Leigh, 'Happy-Go-Lucky'

Time Out had a sneak preview this week of Mike Leigh's new film, 'Happy-Go-Lucky', ahead of its world premiere in Berlin later this month. A contemporary London tale, the film is a microscopic character study - a brief slice of the life of free 'n' easy, glass-half-full Poppy (Sally Hawkins), a bubbly 30-year-old primary school teacher.

Themes of education and bullying flow through a film which is mainly about one thing - growing up. There are familiar Leigh interests - siblings, loners, female friends - but the film is most pleasing for how fresh it feels. It's funny, truthful and blessed with a rip-roaring performance from Hawkins.

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