30-year-old Poppy (Sally Hawkins) cheerfully navigates life in London, sharing a flat with a friend and working as a primary school teacher.
When one of her students starts bullying his classmates, Poppy calls in a social worker to find out what’s troubling the boy. Meanwhile, after having her bicycle stolen, she starts learning to drive, signing up for a series of what prove to be deeply unorthodox lessons from a bitter, conspiracy-obsessed driving instructor Eddie Marsan. She gets a bad back, goes out dancing with her friends, begins a relationship. Through it all she maintains a seemingly innate optimism and light-hearted spirit, prompting reflections on the different ways in which people are able to meet the world.
Leigh’s trademark wit and eye for capturing contemporary London is much in evidence in what feels more like a return to the earlier territory of High Hopes, Bleak Moments etc. than say Vera Drake. While it still ticks a number of Leigh’s recurring tropes such as middle aged lonely men, an interest in social and racial politics and a keen nose for how everyday people tick, it’s a considerably more optimistic Leigh at work here. There’s a youthful vigour which belies this being Leigh’s 18th feature.
While the film doesn’t shy away from some serious issues including bullying and bigotry, it’s Leigh’s trademark compassion and humour which lingers in the mind, as well as Hawkins’ sunny, star-making performance.
