Pluck Be a Lady

In the buzzed-about Happy-Go-Lucky, director Mike Leigh takes a look at the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to bug those around her.

The film opened in limited release last Friday, so check your local listing. It stars relative newcomer Sally Hawkins, whom The New York Times finds to be “glorious.”

Really, keep this one in mind when Oscar pool time comes.

Photo: Miramax Films.