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Just how hard is it to be happy? In the effervescent new comedy from writer/director Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies), Sally Hawkins stars as 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?
Original Release
04/16/2008
US Release
10/10/2008
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Sally Hawkins | Poppy / Poppy Cross |
Elliot Cowan | Bookshop Assistant |
Alexis Zegerman | Zoe |
Andrea Riseborough | Dawn |
Sinead Matthews | Alice |
Kate O'Flynn | Suzy |
Sarah Niles | Tash |
Eddie Marsan | Scott |
Joseph Kloska | Suzy's Boyfriend |
Sylvestra Le Touzel | Heather |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Sally Hawkins | Poppy / Poppy Cross |
Elliot Cowan | Bookshop Assistant |
Alexis Zegerman | Zoe |
Andrea Riseborough | Dawn |
Sinead Matthews | Alice |
Kate O'Flynn | Suzy |
Sarah Niles | Tash |
Eddie Marsan | Scott |
Joseph Kloska | Suzy's Boyfriend |
Sylvestra Le Touzel | Heather |
Anna Reynolds | Receptionist |
Nonso Anozie | Ezra |
Trevor Cooper | Patient |
Karina Fernandez | Rosita Santos / Flamenco Teacher |
Philip Arditti | Flamenco Student |
Viss Elliot Safavi | Flamenco Student |
Rebekah Staton | Flamenco Student |
Jack MacGeachin | Nick |
Charlie Duffield | Charlie |
Ayotunde Williams | Ayotunde |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
James Clayton | Executive Producer |
Gail Egan | Executive Producer |
David Garrett | Executive Producer |
Duncan Reid | Executive Producer |
Tessa Ross | Executive Producer |
Simon Channing Williams | Producer |
Georgina Lowe | Producer |
Editors
Clips
Behind the Scenes
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
2009 | Oscar | Best Writing, Original Screenplay | Nominated |
2009 | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
2009 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical | Won |