From Mike Leigh (‘Secret’s and Lies’, ‘Mr. Turner’) comes the Oscar-nominated ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ and the unforgettable character of Poppy Cross. 30-year-old Poppy lives in Camden Town, is cheeky, playful, frank while funny, and talkative to strangers. She’s a conscientious and exuberant primary-school teacher, flatmates with Zoe, her long-time friend; she’s close to one sister, and not so close to another.We, the audience, are both bemused by this ‘Happy Go Lucky’ woman, and can’t help but wonder if her open attitude puts her at risk of misunderstanding or worse. Poppy is as irritating as she is wonderful, and one is confronted by the larger questions in discussion here; what is the root of happiness? How does one deal with happiness in abundance? And what that means in a world where happiness is so often lacking?
