No not the 1942 musical with Betty Hutton..but Mike Leigh's latest slice of life affirming life...
This has just started showing,in the U.K...not sure if it will get a U.S release or not...I heard Leigh talking about it on the radio a week ago,i already very much like actress,Sally Hawkins,and this is her first "leading role"..
Her character may seem unbelievably positive and optimistic,irritatingly so to some but i've met people like this...and she shows depth as a credible primary school teacher...
If you are a Mike Leigh fan then you will not be dissapointed..the female/family banter is wonderfully funny and engaging,and these scenes, along with the "Flamenco" classes are intelligent fun, and went down a storm in the cinema.
We know that there will be a strong counterpoint coming ,a rude awakening.. We get a totally unrealistic one that strikes a completely false note,manipulative and just daft...but,leaving that aside,there is a "tour de force" of a performance from the superb Eddie Marsan ,as "Scott" the disfunctional driving instructor..
Breathing a sigh of relief ,,the key phrases ringing in your ears might well be: Amra Ha! ("the all-seeing eye") "My space!" (no not that one)..and something along the lines of "cheer up ,it might never happen!"