Spartacus - Like most of Mike Leigh's films, the "point" is the interaction of the characters. Far from meaningless, they're actually quite significant, insightful studies of the way people interact with one another.
One of the main points of the movie actually reveals itself in this comment section over and over again...
You can't be that Happy-Go-Lucky in life in this harsh world without angry, smallminded people getting irritated by you.
Apparently Sally Hawkins' breakout role (I think she's perfect and completely different in everything, she's one of my favorite actresses working today), Happy-Go-Lucky shows director Mike Leigh once again showcasing one of those annoying, bubbly people who seem untouched by tragedy. In Life Is Sweet, Alison Steadman is laughing through life, but it's a shield, and a cracking one at that. For Happy-Go-Lucky's Poppy, it's not fake. She's one of those people who go through life taking nothing very seriously and somehow escaping tragedy as it just slides off their backs. She rubs a lot people to wrong way - she's manic, but not a magical pixie - but it's in the moments where her positivity breaks that she becomes touching. Poppy is never sad or upset for herself, but has great empathy for others who are incapable of laughing things off the way she can. There's a lot of truth in this. There are people who seem to have bad luck always following them, but it's really just because of the way they react to them. If we take these chapters of Poppy's life as a plot outline, there's just as much bad and good luck as in any life, but it's the way she reacts to it that makes all the difference. Her world is thus necessarily translated into very colorful tones. And for all the truth, there's some right comedy to the piece as well. The dance teacher has some great moments, for example, and Eddie Marsan is great as the angry incel driving instructor. Knowing Mike Leigh's worlds are mostly improvised only makes the scenes all the more fun to watch.
She's not delightful - she's bl**dy annoying. If you like leads who are ditzy and infuriating this is your kind of movie. Could only stick twenty minutes.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 17
Timec
Spartacus - Like most of Mike Leigh's films, the "point" is the interaction of the characters. Far from meaningless, they're actually quite significant, insightful studies of the way people interact with one another.daisyaday
Poppy is breezy, intelligent, bubbly, funny and empathetic. That is what this movie is about. She charms everyone, or tries to. "Enraha!"Vinsmid
Spot on! A non-conformist, highly empathic girl educates her surroundings.Mike Leigh on top again!!
Nilsmedskills
One of the main points of the movie actually reveals itself in this comment section over and over again...You can't be that Happy-Go-Lucky in life in this harsh world without angry, smallminded people getting irritated by you.
I love Poppy and her attitude.
Timec
One of the best new films I've seen in a long time. Poppy is an incredibly delightful protagonist.Siskoid
Apparently Sally Hawkins' breakout role (I think she's perfect and completely different in everything, she's one of my favorite actresses working today), Happy-Go-Lucky shows director Mike Leigh once again showcasing one of those annoying, bubbly people who seem untouched by tragedy. In Life Is Sweet, Alison Steadman is laughing through life, but it's a shield, and a cracking one at that. For Happy-Go-Lucky's Poppy, it's not fake. She's one of those people who go through life taking nothing very seriously and somehow escaping tragedy as it just slides off their backs. She rubs a lot people to wrong way - she's manic, but not a magical pixie - but it's in the moments where her positivity breaks that she becomes touching. Poppy is never sad or upset for herself, but has great empathy for others who are incapable of laughing things off the way she can. There's a lot of truth in this. There are people who seem to have bad luck always following them, but it's really just because of the way they react to them. If we take these chapters of Poppy's life as a plot outline, there's just as much bad and good luck as in any life, but it's the way she reacts to it that makes all the difference. Her world is thus necessarily translated into very colorful tones. And for all the truth, there's some right comedy to the piece as well. The dance teacher has some great moments, for example, and Eddie Marsan is great as the angry incel driving instructor. Knowing Mike Leigh's worlds are mostly improvised only makes the scenes all the more fun to watch.julex
Funny but smart. It's worth watching over and overjulex
Funny but smart. It's worth watching over and overArben
Explores the question 'wouldn't it be charming if David Brent were a lady?'MoviesICheck
@Arben *a good-looking lady*Yarnold66
She's not delightful - she's bl**dy annoying. If you like leads who are ditzy and infuriating this is your kind of movie. Could only stick twenty minutes.Gershwin
@djgray88: she gets less boring towards the end and the movie gets pretty agreeable, but admitted: I'm not really into this type of girl either.filmcave
Intolerable protagonist. Almost unwatchable.piet
Yes!Dianella
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