Happy-Go-Lucky’s Holly Golightly, Sally Hawkins gets a glowing profile in W this month:
As Poppy, an irrepressibly bubbly and optimistic London schoolteacher, Hawkins turns what could have been the most annoying character in the history of cinema into a highly nuanced, and unexpectedly endearing, psychological study.
And about director Mike Leigh’s unique method of catching lightening in a bottle:
Hawkins remains partial to Leigh’s particular way of working, a process she finds both terrifying and addictive. Instead of giving his actors a script, Leigh puts them through weeks of improvised conversations and exercises, during which they’re “sort of free-falling in the dark,” Hawkins says. In this case he had Hawkins construct Poppy from birth, getting the actress into character as a baby and later introducing Poppy to her younger sisters as they, in turn, joined the family as newborns. (In the film they appear only as adults.) “It creates this incredible chemistry instantly,” Hawkins says. “The relationship is formed in full. It’s like magic.”
We featured the trailer 2 months ago here, but for those who missed it — or those who want to see the new improved embed — we’ll run it again, after the cut.
11 Responses for "Sally Hawkins Golightly"
Hawkins was fanstastic in Happy Go Lucky (sometimes it’s nice to be Australian and get films ealry for a change) and I can’t imagine her missing out on a nom.
By the way, is it just me, or is that an aweful, ugly photo of a beautiful woman.
I saw the movie a while back. Great film, Hawkins is pitch perfect and very touching too. Those driving lessons scenes were glorious fireworks.
I can imagine her missing out on a nom.
a very great performance.
Mike Leigh really needs to be recognized soon by AMPAS for his work. Few directors have been so consistently spot-on with their track records as he has. Also, his unique approach to directing surely warrants a golden statuette.
I agree Alan of Montreal. Secrets and Lies is still one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
I joyfully join the above crowd in their delirious praise for Sally Hawkins, who (if there were any kind of justice, but there rarely is) deserves a nomination. I agree with Alan of Montreal as well, although for me VERA DRAKE and LIFE IS SWEET edge out SECRETS in Leigh’s pantheon.
How’s it going Ryan? In three weeks you will be on Cloud Nine buddy!
I saw this film tonight, and while it’s not quite as good as my two favorite Mike Leigh films – SECRETS & LIES and TOPSY-TURVY – it is a terrific film, and I loved Hawkins in it as well.
I can’t wait to see this film. Leigh’s my favorite director.
My favorite Leigh, in order (I haven’t seen High Hopes, Bleak Moments or Career Girls, or any of his early teleplays):
1. Naked
2. Secrets & Lies
3. All or Nothing
4. Vera Drake
5. Life is Sweet (most of the problems other people often complain about in Leigh’s oeuvre I find distilled in this film, at least until the final 30 minutes)
6. Topsy-Turvy (gorgeous but miscalculated)
For those interested in Sally Hawkins…
She starred in an ITV production of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” last year that is well worth a look. Her character in this film is so different from the one in Happy Go Lucky, and yet it is her magnificent performance that really carries the whole thing to a different level, showing her range as an actress. I have seen a number of Jane Austen movies, but in this one more than any other I really felt an emotion connection with the main character thanks to Hawkins’ performance, which mainly relies on sutlety and nuance but is powerful nonetheless. This is what made me realize her talent as an actress and I am so happy to see her getting recognition now for her performance in Happy Go Lucky. There are plenty of actors that can be perky and bubbly, plenty that can be brooding and emotional, but not a lot who can excell at both, and Ms. Hawkins has that ability.
Yes, Sally Hawkins deserves a nomination for her performance in this movie. She deserves an Oscar Best Actress award for it!!! Anyway, I’m quite happy with her Breakthrough Actress award in the Oscars for this year. I hope that some day, she will win a Best Actress award there. Sally’s my favorite actress in the whole world. I saw her first in Fingersmith where she delivered an outstanding performance. Just wondering why she haven’t been nominated in the BAFTA awards. I love Sally, for me, she’s the best actress in the whole world…..
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