Happy - Go - Lucky (15)

Directed by Mike Leigh at his most optimistic – you will not fail to enjoy this real slice of life, set in London. One cannot help falling for the eternally cheerful Poppy, the eponymous female lead. She trots through daily life, embracing every situation that arises – good or bad – with smiling spontaneity, fortitude and humour. She even sets about humanising Eddie Marsan, the ultimate ‘driving instructor from Hell’. It’s unclear whether she succeeds, but maybe he’s irredeemable anyway. Come and (like Eddie) be determined not to smile – you won’t last 5 minutes before your cheek muscles buckle.