Moronic drivel for half wits!

Poppy’s driving lessons are the film’s standout moments, defined by intense tension, layered complexity, and an ever-present sense of uncertainty about what will happen next.

Sally Hawkins was SO irritating I was only sorry that the driving instructor didn't manage to give her a good slapping.

Sally Hawkins does a truly incredible job of creating a totally believable character: sadly, it's a very annoying character! Eddie Marsan, on the other handed, is landed with the job of trying to inhabit one of the worst drawn characters I've ever seen on film. It barely manages to rise to the level of one-dimensional. And, of course, nothing happens. Remove Mike Leigh's name from this and it would have sunk (despite Hawkin's brilliant performance)

Sally Hawkins has never acted so wonderfully and energetically as she does here she totally steals the screen its a trying film that attempts to lift up people's spirits and let happyness run its course despite the limitations and obstacles we face there's no harm in bringing a smile to someone's face a true testament saying we can’t make everyone happy but there’s no harm in trying

This was such an entertaining movie with good acting and storyline. Sally Hawkins was just a treasurer. It's definitely worth the watch.

sally hawkins' interaction with the homeless man is something of true bravery

Sally Hawkins definitively shines positively through life's demonstrated mundaneness that nicely reminds buried depths as humane baggage, admittedly solidifying its hidden gem status with minimal engagement but admired over central optimism. (B)

first it's not a Comedy movie it's just about a nice girl and it's overrated

It's not so much a movie as an interminable series of dull scenes which are meant to give insight into a character. Several characters take highly improbable actions to conform to cliched tropes (the shallow girl who is actually deep and brave, the bigoted white man who appears responsible but is actually weak and irresponsible). Two stars for excellent acting and one good scene at the end which is not worth waiting for.

I didn't like it very much. I guess the accent was one problem. I'm from the South. I found her to be silly and annoying, but I did keep watching to see if anything was going to happen worthwhile.

This is simply a wonderful film. I had watched it years ago but watched it again tonight. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is extraordinarily compelling. There are some striking scenes. The breakdown of the flamenco instructor is an amazing piece of cinema. The driving instructor's tantrum at the end is both poignant and disturbing. You see the best and worst of human behaviour in this film. Some of it confronting. This is balanced by the delightful and whimsical. And then there is the brilliant Sally Hawkins. What makes a person like this? What makes an actor like this? What an exceptional piece of casting. This Mike Leigh is even better than I remembered it. Watch it with your partner then tell me if you see yourself in it. I did, a couple of times, and saw people I know.

Meandering and plotless, but very believable subplots and characters kept me interested regardless. If you wonder what makes each person you meet behave in the ways that they do, and what might lay beyond the first impression, this film is the sort of multi-character study that feels like striking gold in a psychological mini-mine. Incorrigible optimism is a fascinating personality trait, not only to observe, but to observe peoples' reactions to. At turns both hilarious and nerve-wracking, it's still slow and steady overall. This film makes me want to see all of Mike Leigh's work.

The expert raved about Sally Hawkins' performance but for me the acting plaudits go, as so often, to Eddie Marsan as the tense driving instructor. The compelling driving lesson scenes drove this film - by comparison the rest was mere padding.

This was mostly a light and mildly funny movie but devolved into another film looking to score cheap political points. That part of the story was so obviously forced and poorly written. Too bad.

Not bad but I thought that it will be better.

Sally Hawkins is its only bright spot the rest of the film is incredibly boring.

In my view the best mike Leigh film.

Most lovely and thoughtful main character I've ever seen.

Reviewed 10.16.19 Writer/director Mike Leigh does indeed have a talent for natural and witty dialogue. Unfortunately critics ignore his weakness in failing to create high stakes, or often even meaningful stories. I understand his stated intent, to write about 'ordinary people,' but accurately capturing day to day life doesn't automatically translate to captivating films. I mean, is your average day movie worthy? His work is distinct but that doesn't mean it's complete. Call him an auteur of the mundane. Thankfully this time his pedestrian plot is rescued by a star-making turn by Sally Hawkins, as the unstoppably upbeat Polly Cross. In almost any other actor's hands, the movie would have been a complete snore fest. But Hawkins irreverent energy and childlike wonderment holds for the entire two hours, and that's saying something. She's the rare actor with a delivery all her own. If you're the type that can appreciate the parts, over the whole, then it's worth a view for her performance alone. It's a fun character, and she completely embodies it. Playing the flip side to Poppy's effervescence is her curmudgeon driving instructor Scott, played to disturbing effect by Eddie Marsan. Their scenes are the only ones with something on the line. Together, they singlehandedly keep this ball of fluff from completely deflating.