“Light as air and heavy as lead.  So here we go again, asking the question what is life all about.”

 “I understood the idea of the film, but the film just annoyed me.”

“Mike Leigh’s sensibility and sensitivity of the working class is poignant and realistic.  I love Mike Leigh.”

"En-ra-ha indeed! Poppy is chronically - not terminally - optimistic, with full realization of who she is and a self-awareness of her giggly attitude. It's a means of coping for her that - like the poppy flower - can be either a painkiller or a narcotic."

“The film was very interesting.  It brought up good points that were hidden, such as adulthood.”

“The best thing about this movie was the closing scene.  Poppy needed to give up sugar!”

“The US has Spike Lee, the UK has Mike Leigh.  I loved this movie and the characters and their stories.  The only thing I found grating was the soundtrack.”

“Of course, without Sally Hawkins, a very average film.”

“Too perky.”

“What a great way to start a Saturday.  One of the most intelligent films and screenplays of the year.  Brilliantly constructed! Great performances.”

“The character of Poppy was well acted, but the best character was Zoe.  The characters are one dimensional, but convincing.  Although it’s clear what the message is, it didn’t come off convincingly.”

“I found Poppy so over-the-top cheerful to the point of annoying.”

“Leave it to Mike Leigh to take the simplest of stories – a person who is obsessively optimistic – and find within it the most profound of life’s questions. Superb cast to almost every character, and if a little too talky, certainly filled with dialogue that also ranged from the trite to the profound.”

“I found myself getting irritated by Poppy’s lack of awareness.”

“Where was the filming going?  Why did the actress laugh so much, it was irritating?  I would not recommend this to anyone.”

“Some of her exuberance was too much.  I felt some of her character could have been softened, giving her less one-dimensionality.  The Flamenco  teacher was exceptional, it saved the picture.”

“The film seemed to drag on aimlessly with no point.  Stereotypes and points of view were the themes.  The child was clearly a younger Scott.   Could have been terrific with better direction and editing.  Good acting.”

“The location was beautiful, and I liked that the main actress was always so happy.  You need more happy people like Poppy in this world!  The movie was ok.  I try to teach a variety of lessons.”

“I loved the ending.”

“Good introduction to character and neighborhood.  The actress was fabulous.  Sally Hawkins captured the person so well and believable.  The Flamenco dance instructor stole the moment for me.  The driving instructor was sad, scary and questionable.”

“What a role model!  Charming.”

“Mike Leigh is my hero.  I loved this film and it’s going on my personal all time favorite films list.  How can you not love a film with Poppy/Sally Hawkins at its center.”

“A deceptively simple story that leads to complex themes.  Very good performances by all, directed with excellent pacing.”

“What an amazing role model for early childhood teachers.  She embodies the child in the adult with full awareness of those around her.  She had such empathy that at times it’s incredible.  I loved the Flamenco instructor!  Dangerous moments were homeless man and lessons with Scott.  No need to explain the deep seated problems in society.”

“I enjoyed this movie so much.  I always like Mike Leigh’s films.  He’s always explaining people’s emotions, motivations and relationships.  All the actors were wonderful!  Sally Hawkins was marvelous as was Eddie Marsen as Scott.  Chaos vs. order, left-brain vs. right-right brain…  Poppy is a character of great insight and depth.  She could tune into peoples psychological motivations.  I like the way Mike Leigh leads us through the story.”

“It’s engaging to see a happy-go-lucky character, but sometimes she gets annoying.  It’s nice she has no fear of people, but she also feels unrealistic.  Her friends are good contrasts to her.  Not enough plot for an engaging watching experience.”

“Not my kind of film.  I like plots.  Poppy had an irritating personality.  I found it boring.”

“The world is a glass 1/2 filled.  She won’t allow pain to affect her life.”

“Where was this movie going?  There was no definite plot or story.”

“Remarkable experience, moving, provocative, maddening film.  Beautifully done and edifying!”

“Many of the small parts by men were very well acted.”

“Only problem was I couldn’t understand their accents.  A real love of life.”