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  Film: Nell Schofield previews Happy Go Lucky and Unfinished Sky June 22, 2008 Reporter :Nell Schofield  Watch our reviewFilm: Nell Schofield previews Happy Go Lucky and Unfinished Sky Australian director Peter Duncan has been called a "film polymath" with works ranging in style from 'Children of the Revolution’ starring Judy Davis as Stalin’s girlfriend to 'Passion' featuring Richard Roxburgh as a whip cracking Percy Granger. With his latest film he shifts gear once again to tell the story of a traumatised Afghani woman who stumbles into the life of a reclusive Queensland farmer Unfinished Sky is a gorgeous looking and deeply moving suspense romance with fantastic performances from its two leads. McInnes makes an impressive transformation from a crusty old cow cockie to a clean cut member of the squattocracy and Dutch actress Monic Hendricks also blossoms in her role as the Afghani refugee Tahmeena. Interestingly, the film is a re-interpretation of a 1998 Dutch movie called The Polish Bride in which Hendrickx also starred as a Polish refugee - different nationality, different circumstances, same human dilemma. In British director Mike Leigh's new film, there’s a perplexing dilemma as well – how to keep one’s spirits up in the face of overwhelming negativity. Poppy Cross is a positive force of nature. Each day she weaves her magic on the tiny tots in the London primary school where she works and inspires joy in almost everyone she meets. But her eternal optimism is challenged when she signs up for driving lessons with a ferocious instructor named Scott. These two opposites have obviously attracted each other for a reason. For Poppy – played by the delightful Sally Hawkins - it’s a big lesson in tolerance, and for Scott – Eddie Marsan - it’s a crash course in addressing some of his own pent up issues. But Scott isn’t the only one threatened by Poppy’s enthusiasm for life. Her sister, too, finds it confronting. Thankfully nothing can dampen Poppy's indomitable spirit and she is finally rewarded with the thing she most deserves. The Dalai Lama has said that the purpose of life is to be happy and if so, Poppy is the embodiment of a life well lived. She may have to contend with some obstacles of equal and opposite strength but this just makes for some hilarious comedy and a touch of poignant drama too. Happy Go Lucky is a really uplifting film that turns the tables on Mike Leigh's reputation for dark and serious work. And with the bravura performance from Ms. Hawkins in the central role, it’s a joy to watch from woah to go. |
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