GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

HalBanksy What is the point of this film? There's not really any message or significant character arc to be found. Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan are engaging - the interaction between ridiculously cheerful and absolutely miserable - but the narrative never takes this in any direction.

bbewnylorac Director/writer Mike Leigh gives us a masterclass in examining the collision of two characters with vastly different approaches to life - resilient social worker Poppy (Sally Hawkins) and her extremely angry-at-life driving instructor Scott (Eddie Marsan). I was reminded of this movie recently when I met a cranky taxi driver who sniped at everything I said, was bitter, resentful, sad, mad, bad, and more than a little weird. I believe this movie actually gave me more insight into people like this - the Scott character is a very lonely guy who is essentially lost. He is trapped in this way of interacting with people that is destructive, alienating and hurtful. And so the other people react to this, and push him away, so he's even more alienated. This is how disgruntled loners end up committing crimes or being reckless and being the brunt of news stories around the world. Scott obviously has major problems that were never addressed. He needs help, and he's not going to get it. One of the most moving scenes is when he stands outside Poppy's window, looking longingly at it. He's thinking that the answer to his problems must be out there, the key to a happier life, but he truly has no idea how to bridge that massive yawning chasm. What empathy is displayed by Mike Leigh in this characterisation. By contrast, the Poppy character is a fully-realised woman living firmly in the practical present, who gets the most out of life and deftly manages people like Scott so that they don't impede her enjoyment of life. You really cheer her on, and you feel for her, too. How lucky she is, indeed, to have acquired the very best approach to life, to make life work for her. But, as others have said, there is a darkness to this movie - maybe she hasn't had quite the misfortune that Scott has in the past, maybe Scott has been dealt more blows than she has along the journey. I would have liked to have been given more information on what caused him to be this way. But it's all interesting food for thought.

grantss Beautiful, moving, funny, quirky movie. Days in the life of a school teacher, Poppy (played by Sally Hawkins), who is perpetually optimistic and happy. However, things are about to test her unshakable cheerfulness...Great movie. Funny, but with many good dramatic qualities too. Tackles a range of social issues, including racism, 30-something singleness, paranoia, friendship, relationships and school bullying, with a warmth and objectivity that is remarkable.Very subtle, and takes a while to build the scene and introduce the issues, so requires some patience. I wasn't sold on it after 20 minutes, but was well rewarded in the end.Great performance by Sally Hawkins in the lead role. Great direction by Mike Leigh.

werther66 This film sorely fails to capture what it sets out to do. The protagonist "Poppy" is not terribly witty or funny nor does she capture the Free Spirited demeanor director Mike Leigh tries so hard to depict. Poppy is more annoyingly and shallowly giddy throughout the film and her character is quite 'forced.' In the post film commentary, Leigh absurdly says that Poppy comparisons to iconic Hollywood free spirits like Holly Golightly are misinformed since the Poppy character is so much more complex and well-rounded. But Poppy doesn't exhibit a fraction of the CHARM or vulnerability that Holly does which is why generations of audiences have fallen in love with the Audrey Hepburn character. Leigh's simplistic attempts to heavy-handedly demonstrate Poppy's compassion for others also fall flat like when she encounters a schizoid homeless man in an abandoned factory setting. Sure she 'cares' and feels 'bad' for the guy just like she cares feels 'bad' for the driving instructor but nothing she does actually 'helps' either of them. I suppose she does help the angry, belligerent school child who's beating up his fellow class mates due to his dysfunctional family life but what teacher wouldn't intervene is a similar situation? And Poppy's love scene with the quiet, hunk 'social worker' also lacks chemistry and is rather contrived just like her personality. Sally Hawkins nuanced performance in the BBC production of Persuasion was borderline brilliant compared to this unconvincing character portrayal of a gal narcissist who is neither funny, dep nor particularly free spirited.