Film and book review: Happy-Go-Lucky and Julie & Julia

As I slowly sink to the murky depths of a kafkaesque bureaucratic hell and I despair at the ignorance, the lack of compassion and general malaise with which we interact with each other. I have read and watched a book and a film which reminds me that there is hope, love, joy and compassion. There are talented and creative people who will take the time and energy to share it with us and sometimes the world does reward such people:

Julie & Julia: The book about the blog which got made into a film.

The film is funny and a lot cleaner than the book which is just fucking hilarious. Before this book/film/blog I like many non-Americans had never heard of Julia Child, but I now cannot imagine a world without her. Julie Powell comes across as honest, open, funny, compassionate and positive in a neurotic and slightly narcissistic manner. I really enjoyed the book, it's like one of those self help books but without the patronizing platitudes. Julie Powell appears to celebrate life despite or actually because of all the crap. Blogs are a funny thing and Ms Powell's story is compelling; a blogger who finds fame and fortune. She may not win the Nobel prize for literature, but her book was a joy to read. It is not a French cook book, I do not think it pretends to be. It is one woman's journey, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and her life; or at least making her very best efforts to do so.

Happy-Go-Lucky: The central character Poppy, a "happy go lucky" type of girl decides to take driving lessons. Scott is a driving instructor who is the antithesis of Poppy. It's one of those character movies where not that much happens but is fucking hilarious. Interestingly, Mike Leigh, the director, starts filming in an improvised way and the film appears to owe a great deal to this style of direction. Poppy is a gorgeous, joyful, compassionate soul who is open and interested in everyone and everything. She is so very un-self aware which allows her to be so true to her self and those around her. At first you think she may be a little too naive and innocent. Scott sees this and is amazed and in awe. His selfishness does not allow him to see that Poppy will shine her light on him but he wants her all to himself. So the film is "driven" to it's inevitable conclusion and Poppy is left standing; open and vulnerable but her joy, compassion and empathy are in tact and even more important to her soul than ever.

Life can be good, there is joy and hope, compassion and creativity. (It just does not exist at the US Immigration Services or the IT department). Joy can be found, you just have to be open to it. Jigna