There’s some good bits to be found. Sally Hawkins (Cassandra’s Dream) gives an endearing performance as Poppy, a spunky school teacher. She deserves much of the praise she has found from critics. The film as a whole simply doesn’t work because it is as distracted and unfocused. The heart of the story is in the relationship between Poppy and her acidic driving instructor Scott (Eddie Marsan (The Illusionist)). The pairing gives the film its most enjoyable and meaningful moments. Unfortunately, this interplay is shoved into the background in favor of wandering scenes of Poppy in normal life. This is like listening to someone sing a new song, hit a few perfect chords and then descend into a yodeling mess never recognizing the wonderful potential composition they’ve left behind.

Life is too short for quirky, sloppy messes.



Related Reviews:
Quirky films
About a Boy (2002)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
The One-Line Review
Ill-Informed Gadfly

Labels: British Cinema, Eddie Marsan, film, movie review, Sally Hawkins