Happy Go Lucky (and other Mike Leigh films)

It's been a Mike Leigh weekend for me. Those of you who know me well, will know that I have been a Mike Leigh fan for many years. Ever since in fact I first saw Abigail's Party, Many moons ago!


To coincide with the release of Happy Go Lucky, the Mike Leigh Feature Film Box Set has been released with 10 of his best films. These include;-

Bleak Moments
Meantime
High Hopes
Naked
Life Is Sweet
Secrets & Lies
Career Girls
Topsy Turvy
Vera Drake
All Or Nothing

This is an amazing collection to have, and so, the DVD box set arrived on Friday and yesterday I watched a couple of films I had not yet got around to seeing, All or Nothing and Career Girls. I get totally submerged into his films. What I like about them is the fact that it is like walking down and street in any town and knocking on a random door and being let in to someones world, at any given point in time. The films don't necessarily have a structured beginning and an end, it's more of a snapshot of a wider picture of how different people in our society live.

Happy Go Lucky

With Happy Go Lucky, Leigh breaks away from the usual graininess of social realism and provides us with the instantly likable character of Poppy.

Synopsis

Poppy is an irrepressible 30–something enjoying her life in Camden, north London‘s boho HQ. Whether out on her bike, preparing lessons for the kids in her primary school class, or drinking with friends in the local, she keeps a smile on her face and a joke on her lips. Despite the misgivings of her younger sister, who has settled down in the suburbs to start a family, Poppy is happy with her life and determined to get the most out of every day. When her bicycle is stolen, however, Poppy decides to invest in driving lessons, a decision that will bring her face–to–face with a character and a world view quite unlike her own. Mike Leigh‘s first film since the Oscar nominated "Vera Drake" re–teams the veteran figure of Britain‘s social realist movement with star Sally Hawkins. As Poppy, Hawkins is in almost every frame, and she lights up the screen with a performance of infectious energy and enthusiasm. "Happy–Go–Lucky" sees a calmer, more optimistic take on post–Blair Britain from Leigh. It is a country where individualism and the pursuit of happiness define the lives of a generation, but where old–fashioned ideas like community and selflessness still exist.

Comment

A thoroughly enjoyable film, made more so by the brilliant acting talent of Sally Hawkins. Being as this is Leigh's first film since the remarkable Vera Drake many will feel that this film just doesn't hit the grade, which would be a terrible shame. This film is upbeat and illuminating, funny yet often poignant. An absolute triumph!

To see the trailer press HERE

Star Rating;- * * * *

Rear Window

I just happened to call into HMV this afternoon, to see what they had in a the sale, when I stumbled across this masterpiece of a film for just £3!!!

I first saw it about 20 years ago and remember being spellbound by it's tense, edge of your seat plot line.

Synopsis

Professional photographer L.B. "Jeff" Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart) breaks his leg while getting an action shot at an auto race. Confined to his New York apartment, he spends his time looking out of the rear window observing the neighbours. He begins to suspect that the man opposite may have murdered his wife. Jeff enlists the help of his society model girlfriend Lisa Freemont (Grace Kelly) and his nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) to help him investigate.

Comment

Even though this film is over 50 years old, it is as tense as any good suspense thriller of today. In fact this film had me gripped throughout, just as it did when I first saw it 20 years ago. Hitchcock was nothing short of a genius and this has to be one of his finest films. If only films like this existed today. Some have come close, such as Disturbia, but Rear Window is one film that stands out head and shoulders above the rest and has undeniably stood the test of time.

If you haven't see this film already, check it out. It will be the best £3 you'll spend in a long time.

See the trailer here PRESS

Star Rating * * * * *

Son of Rambow

Synopsis

SON OF RAMBOW is the name of the home movie made by two little boys with a big video camera and even bigger ambitions. Set on a long English summer in the early 80's, SON OF RAMBOW is a comedy about friendship, faith and the tough business of growing up. We see the story through the eyes of Will, the eldest son of a fatherless Plymouth Brethren family. The Brethren regard themselves as God's 'chosen ones' and their strict moral code means that Will has never been allowed to mix with the other 'worldlies,' listen to music or watch TV, until he finds himself caught up in the extraordinary world of Lee Carter, the school terror and maker of bizarre home movies. Carter exposes Will to a pirate copy of Rambo: First Blood and from that moment Will's mind is blown wide open and he's easily convinced to be the stuntman in Lee Carters' home movie. Will has to keep his friendship with Lee Carter a secret from the Brethren community.

What I thought

This film was highly recommended by some friends of mine, who went to see it in the week. It was really enjoyable 'coming of age' type movie and reminded me a lot of a modern day 'Stand By Me'. In fact Will Poulter who plays Lee Carter reminded me of the young River Phoenix.

Jessica Hynes (AKA Stevenson) who happens to be one of my favourite actresses, plays Will's Mum. She is brilliantly cast as the long suffering oppressed member of the Plymouth Brethren who battles with her belief and what is best for her son.

This film is both moving and funny and has a very poignant ending. Very enjoyable and well worth checking out.

See the trailer here - PRESS

Star Rating;- * * *