The cynic in me hates to admit it, but if I have to choose between optimism and pessimism, I go for the glass that's half-full every time. Life's too beautiful and short to entertain prolonged doom-and-gloom about our pithy existence on this planet. However, a few decades around other humans can give almost anyone pause about the redeeming value of mankind - which is why I generally find relentless optimism nearly as maddening as unremitting pessimism. The key is moderation: to feel hopeful about the future, yes, but to also acknowledge the rough patches and jerks that can make the journey so damn unbearable along the way.

Sally Hawkins as Poppy in "Happy-Go-Lucky"

Poppy, the heroine of Mike Leigh's new film "Happy-Go-Lucky," is not someone I'd spend time with in real life. This much I could tell from the trailer. Aggressively cheerful, upbeat to a fault, Poppy spends her days perpetually peering through rose-colored glasses. In situations where no one should react positively - having your bike stolen, for example - her smile barely wavers. It's the kind of personality that'd drive you crazy on an airplane, and yet - Poppy easily (and quite satisfactorily) fills 120 minutes of screen time.

Much is being made of Sally Hawkins' performance in this film, and she is indeed a revelation as Poppy. But credit must also go to director Mike Leigh, who's famous for allowing his actors an enormous amount of improvisational leeway, and to a few subtle but important dark undercurrents in the screenplay that provide necessary tension between Poppy's idealism and the sordid unpleasantness of real life. Particularly key is Eddie Marsan, who plays Poppy's embittered and angry driving instructor. Polar opposites of one another, the two engage in a seemingly innocous but heated series of debates during Poppy's lessons, until their final encounter during the third act, which takes an unexpectedly serious and heartwrenching turn. Marsan is brilliant in this scene, hinting at past traumas and unleashed rage that Poppy can only begin to guess at understanding. Her climatic realization that she can't, in fact, make everyone happy adds a crucial layer of levity to an otherwise joyous, infectious performance.

As with many films with rich characters, "Happy-Go-Lucky" is light on plot, focusing instead on the development and interaction of its narrative stars. Fortunately, the characters in this film are so entertaining and complex, you're more than happy to sit back and watch as they meet up at pubs, gossip in coffee shops and go about their day-to-day lives. You'll undoubtedly hear a lot about Sally Hawkins this awards season; watching her exuberant Poppy come to life on screen, it's easy to understand why.

"Happy-Go-Lucky" is playing at the State through Thursday. For showtimes and ticket information, click here.

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