Humane Comedy

Horace Walpole, an 18th century English man of letters, wrote, “The world is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.” Though it sounds Shakespearean, a playwright and poet who knew something about the human condition, Walpole’s famous quote more accurately prefigured the work of author Charles Dickens, whose blend of satire and humanism in such novels as “Great Expectations” and “Bleak House” captured the hard times of 19th century Victorian society.

A century and a half later, filmmaker Mike Leigh seems to have inherited Dickens’ social sensibility and penchant for fascinating characters. In films as diverse as his own “Bleak Moments,” “Naked,” “Secrets and Lies” and “Vera Drake,” Leigh interprets Walpole’s world view with his own blend of social realism and humanistic spirit at street level. And, aside from such marvelous diversions as “Topsy Turvy,” his vision is just as uncompromising.

That is why Leigh’s latest film, “Happy-Go-Lucky,” currently playing at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, is so disarming. Knowing the director’s reputation for harsh reality and darker character studies, this film is a pleasant surprise and an indication of personal growth. Yet, even a Leigh “comedy” might have viewers sitting in dread as they anticipate something other than the mindless farce of “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” or “Role Models.”

The comedy genre doesn’t guarantee a happy ending, but at least no has to die for order to be restored and the main character to receive a sadder but wiser wake-up call. That is what happens to the relentlessly happy-go-lucky Poppy (Sally Hawkins in the performance of her lifetime), a North London primary school teacher whom we first meet riding a bicycle and looking like a 30-year-old version of her pupils in a day-glo cardigan, lace tights and oh, those high-heeled boots. Watching the overly optimistic Poppy traverse London traffic and wince in pain during flamenco lessons and with her chiropractor you will be forgiven if you anticipate calamity and a feeling of dread that grows through-out the film.

After all, nobody can be this cheerful and endearing in a Leigh film and survive. When she discovers her bicycle has been stolen, she laments, “We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye,” and to her chiro who just snapped her spine, she responds, “That hurt so much it makes me laugh.” At first, you may be annoyed with Poppy’s incessant chirping that alienates a sales clerk who wants to be left alone. And, you may well wonder if her ever-present smile isn’t that of a moronic glad hander who treats every body the same as if collecting friends or prospects.

Gradually, Poppy’s engaging personality will win you over, just as it has her students, flatmate and the film’s variation on “Sex in the City” companions that extends not only to family and friends but to a typically oddball sort of peripheral Leigh characters along the way including a driving instructor and the homeless.

Of course, Poppy’s engaging warmth and curiosity makes her vulnerable. After her bike is stolen, she takes up driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan) whose strident, anal philosophy of life extends beyond autos and the rules of the road. Poppy tries to penetrate his defenses with wit and charm, but instead of converting this bigoted mannequin into a human being, he turns into a stalker in denial who accuses her of coming on to him with her feminine wiles. Eventually, she fires him but only after a final terrifying ride in a roundabout that could have ended in disaster.

Poppy also receives another reality check when she wanders off at night by herself captivated by the siren chant of a brooding hulk of a homeless man barely on the brink of sanity. This is new territory for her, and once again the give and take is unpleasantly suspenseful for the audience, as she refuses to give ground in her attempt to make a difference in someone else’s life and possibly justify her own. Once again she fails.

Finally, Poppy’s trust and sincerity are accepted within her pervue when she successfully turns around the life of an abused child who takes his unhappiness out violently on fellow students. She does so with the help of a social worker who warmly responds to Poppy’s need for connection in ways that help mellow her as well as blossom.

Perhaps the same can be said for Leigh as a filmmaker. Poppy turned a world crusade into personal happiness and self-awareness. Leigh has made a mature comedy for the times, from an intelligent script and moving performances, which has earned its critical success and recognition while deserving its broader audience.

Box office tally

Here’s the top 5 movies from this past weekend:

1. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” $63.1 million

2. “Role Models,” $19.2 million

3. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” $9.2 million

4. “Changeling,” $7.3 million

5. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” $6.3 million

Hannah Montana Obama?

Billy Ray Cyrus, father of Miley Cyrus – the star of Disney’s popular “Hannah Montana” show – told “Access Hollywood” that Barack Obama’s kids, Malia and Sasha, will “probably” appear on the show in the spring.

“The invitation is there,” Cyrus said.

Of course, as are all living and breathing 10- and 7-year-olds, Malia and Sasha are huge fans of “Hannah Montana.”

Aniston speaks: Angelina sucks!

“What Angelina did was very uncool,” Jennifer Aniston tells Vogue magazine this month.

That was in response not only to Angelina Jolie’s swiping of Aniston’s husband – but apparently the fact that Jolie spread it across the pages of the same magazine.

“There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening,” Aniston told Vogue. “I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss.”

Catfight tentatively scheduled for Dec. 17 at the Qwest Center, or maybe just your dreams.