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It is time to break out the thesaurus for Mike Leigh’s blithe new comedy. It is not just eponymously happy, but also joyous, joyful, cheerful, life-affirming and feelgood, as well as being his finest and funniest film to date. And it is blessed with an unforgettable, deservedly award-winning performance by Sally Hawkins as Poppy, a kooky young primary-school teacher.
Leigh is not preoccupied with plot here. No matter. Instead, he offers a wonderfully observed, constantly entertaining slice of life as it follows free-spirited Poppy, introduced riding her bicycle through London with a radiant, spirit-raising smile that instantly raises your spirits.
The bike is stolen after her comical encounter with a morose bookseller, but she refuses to be disheartened. After commenting wistfully: “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye,” she gets on with making bird costumes for her pupils and enjoying nights out with flatmate Zoë (Alexis Zegerman).
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