No harm.

Zoe: "You can't make everyone happy."
Poppy: "There's no harm in trying that Zoe, is there?"


This might be the best dialogue exchange found in any 2008 film, or any film made in the last few years for that matter. It is both brilliant and unquestionably real. Taken from the unassumingly amazing film "Happy-Go-Lucky," this line, and the theory and actions behind it, exemplify perhaps the most noble approach to life.

Full of quirky mannerisms and jubilant energy, neither of which ever boil over into the unbelievable or gratingly preppy, elementary school teacher Poppy (played by Sally Hawkins who deservedly won the Golden Globe and hopefully the Oscar) goes about her days sharing the adoration of life's wonderment with others in hopes that they too can feel a bit better about themselves and the world around them. She abounds with irresistible, unapologetic qualities that come off as effortless and real, rather than a jumble of forced acts conducted in an attempt to appear different.

Poppy teaches her kids about birds by allowing them to make masks out of paper bags and various crafts, before requesting they flap their wings and make bird noises. Poppy doesn't yell at her classroom bully, but rather intervenes in the instances and digs deeper to find out why the boy is acting violently. Poppy refers to some objects as "what-cha-ma-call-it ding dang dilly dilly da da hoo hoo!"

She tries to make people, such as a random bookstore clerk found in one of the film's first scenes, cheer up, but never forces anything upon the unwilling. Meanwhile, as Poppy spends this extra time trying to make him happy, her bike is stolen. Rather than become angry, however, she instinctively laments about how she never got to say goodbye and begins walking home.

A lost bike is not the only negative consequence of Poppy's instances of kindness and good intentions. Sometimes she ends up hurting those she interacts with because they mistake her good nature for interest, resulting in crushing disappointment when they realize that Poppy is simply a universally caring person whose platonically wholesome actions are often mistaken for flirting.

Despite the repeated occurrence of these undesired outcomes, Poppy remains vigilant and jubilant. Yes, she feels bad for a while and learns from mistakes, but she does not abandon her merry ways, (her true self), and emerges even more motivated to make a difference in others 'lives, regardless of risk or magnitude of improvement.

Although Poppy has many other deep dimensions, such as how she is able to unconditionally accept and connect with a discarded derelict, it is her most obvious quality that proves the most interesting.

Many may read her loving aura as repulsively childish and immature, but such a judgment might be rash. Poppy is actually the most intellectually, emotionally and spiritually developed character in the film, yet is still constantly evolving, a requisite attribute of the mature adult. She may act a bit odd or kiddy at times, but she perseveres through her mistakes by always knowing that she is doing the "right" thing: being herself. Most of the surrounding characters periodically look down on Poppy for her perceived naivete, yet these same people struggle deeply with expressing themselves as freely as she does.

Realizing that one must simultaneously assume adult responsibilities, such as learning how to drive a car or working for a living, maintain the playful acceptance of young children and persevere through the rougher patches even when one is doing everything "right" is the essence of an evolved human.



(Note: This will be one of a number of film analyses/musings on life that I plan to spill out over the next week-and-a-half or so, as I have been in something of a movie groove lately. Some upcoming films/topics include: "Let the Right One In"/Relationships, "The Wrestler"/Rejection-Identity, "Frost/Nixon"/Weakness-Human Interaction, "Punch-Drunk Love"/Why this movie is probably my favorite ever.)

Holiday Surprise

Holiday Season 2008 Analysis

Pros:
-I got answers to almost all the questions I have wanted to ask my immediate family for years. Thank you, Mommy.
-Most of my family members on one side were buzzed and started blurting out mini-secrets and funny quips. Thank you, family drinkers.
-I related closer to my sister than I ever have before. We both opened up and admitted all the stuff we were going through and feeling, along with what we went through and used to feel, leading to a dizzying amount of parallel experiences, particularly in our present situations. I now consider her one of my closest friends, instead of just a sister/friend. Thank you, Rachelle.
-I held my cousin's 6-or-so-month-old son and he took a strong liking to me over many others, as I seem to have a strange power over young kids and animals (or other beings not commonly in the habit of deep critical thought). Thank you, Luke.
-I connected with some friends I have not seen in a long time, even making a deep connection with one in particular through eerily similar thoughts and feelings. Thank you, Vince.
-I felt the strongest feeling of holiday spirit I have ever had throughout the month of December. Thank you, Santa.

Cons:
-I received barely any presents, (but also barely any I-obviously-don't-know-you presents). Thank you, givers of gifts.


This may be an insultingly abbreviated and superficial analysis, but I am still just trying to take it all in. I do plan to extrapolate on many of the more interesting tidbits I learned. But, not until I overthink them to the point of ludicrous correlations and conclusions.
Nevertheless, it was easily the best holiday season ever. Thank you, everyone.