In 7 words or less: Don't worry be happy.
Best bits? Any time Poppy (Sally Hawkins) interacts with another human being. She is a self-less character immune to the everyday negativity of the world around her, just happy to be alive, lovely stuff. Almost all the scenes were an amusing and uplifting window into this character’s daily life. The physiotherapist scene and the Tango classes were very funny, I felt unnerved when the driving instructor (Eddie Marsen) got wound up (just thinking ‘when is he going to snap and what is he going to do?’). But she pushes him nonetheless, trying to get through to his human side. She is willing to continue her driving lessons long after anyone else would have walked away from the scary, angry racist. Her encounter with a mentally disturbed homeless chap is also a tense scene, as she is clearly putting herself in danger. The visit to the middle sister’s house is played out very well, as she tries to lecture her about mortgages, pensions and children but ends up winding herself up.
Did it make you think thoughts? First I thought, ‘what is going on with this character? Is she on drugs, booze or some other toxin? Can I have some?’ But no, she’s just high on life. I also thought ‘why does she keep getting in the car with her driving instructor?', who is a very scary and weird character full of rage, hate and frustration, and it's because she tries to see the best in people, and doesn’t even flinch throughout all his bullshit. So yes, my thoughts were like ‘lets just all cheer up yeah? We are lucky for what we have.’ I’m going to watch this film every time I get a bit down to remind me that ‘you make your own luck', as they say in the final scene.
Would you watch it again? Of course! As I just said I will watch it when I need reminding to stop being a grump.
Rating (out of 100%): 87% Sally Hawkins totally makes this film. I think she was in every scene so massive kudos to her for carrying it to such greatness. She brings Poppy to life with such an endearing quality, I’m sure it would win over the harshest of cynics. The supporting characters are almost as brilliant, from her faithful flatmate and youngest sister to Eddie Marsan’s polar opposite ball of hatred. I watched it expecting something terrible to happen, as Poppy puts herself in potentially dangerous situations through selflessness and caring for others, but thankfully nothing really does. Phew! Her actions are clearly not advisable all the time, but she is obviously an intelligent and capable character who thinks they are worth the risk. A film about positivity and optimism in the doldrums of everyday life.
