YNOT at the Movies

The film's protagonist is a refreshing character Poppy (Sally Hawkins), who is a school teacher. She is a genuinely happy and looks at almost everything in a positive way. When her bicycle gets stolen at the beginning of the film, her response is: "I didn't get a chance to say good-bye!"

The story follows her daily life, work, and romance. She hangs out with her friends at pubs. She takes tango lessons to dance like a real Gypsy. She learns how to drive from a grouchy angry driving couch Scott (Eddie Marsan). The big contrast in strong personality between Poppy and Scott create numerous hilarious comic moments.

No matter what she is doing, Poppy's infectious laugh is from her true self. For her, it is not necessary to have a reason to be happy and to enjoy life to the fullest. Obviously many people including some characters in the film disagree with her. That does not concern Poppy at all. She is still laughing.

Both Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan deserves an Oscar nomination for the terrific performance in this film. Sally Hawkins already won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.

"Happy-Go-Lucky" is a feel good film that inspires the audiences to be happy-go-lucky. That does not mean that everybody will be happy about the film, because some might be very jealous about Poppy's happiness.

"Happy-Go-Lucky" opens today in theaters.

The film is also screened at the 31st Mill Valley Film Festival.

Professor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) is a college professor living in Detroit with his wife and six young children in the 60s. On a raining day, his flash of genius stuck him. In his garage, he invented intermittent windshield wiper that is used by most cars today. However after auto-maker Ford obtained his invention, Ford refused to recognize Kearns's work. Despite everybody telling him that he could not win against a giant corporation by himself, Kearns determined to go on with his courageous battle, while paying a heavy price in his personal life.

Already, there are films, such as "Erin Brockovich," that tell a story about a small individual who take up against big corporations. Undoubtedly each story about these average Joes can be inspiring. However, to make a story like this compelling and keep the audience engaged can be a challenge. Although "Flash of Genius" does a fair job to tell a good story, yet gives us an impression that this could have been a movie made for television.

"Flash of Genius" almost entirely focuses on Robert Kearns's difficult, sometimes obsessed, almost life long fight to get his invention recognized and to get Ford to admit that they stole his invention. Therefore, Greg Kinnear's fine performance is crucial to the film's success. He creates a sympathetic character that is stubborn and vulnerable. Dr. Kearns is willing to sacrifice everything, even his family and his career, in order to get his invention recognized. The film does not show how he actually managed to become a counsel to represent himself in a court room, but by watching his determination during the battle, we already know that nothing can stop him if he decides to do it.

"Flash of Genius" opens today in theaters.

The film is also screened at the 31st Mill Valley Film Festival.