Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

A few months ago, I stumbled upon this film and was immediately intrigued by its premise. Emma Thompson's character has never experienced an orgasm, and after her husband's death, she hires a gigolo to make it happen. It sounded like it could be a fun watch, but it turned out to be much more serious, story-driven, and dialogue-heavy than I expected. In fact, it's a perfectly executed dialogue-centric film. (2023-02-07)

A very bold conversational drama with two actors, but surprisingly it makes do with them and then has something to offer in the field of 90 minutes. At certain moments the film manages to be apt and funny (even if I would have liked more humour), at others sensitive and emotional and in many ways it’s philosophical, and hats off to this combination. I also appreciate the overall tone and point of the film, the courage of the actress to strip down for the camera at her age, and the clever dialogue. In sum, this is a remarkable and original film. It's just a bit more of a festival piece than the kind of movie I'd like to see again, and maybe I was expecting more on the comedy side as well. (2022-09-04)

In a debate earlier this year, I was overruled in my opinion about the need to remove the stigma from sex work and make it more accessible by claims that expanding it would lead to deepening frustration on the part of their many clients unable to fulfill their romantic fantasies. But even though I ultimately nodded my agreement, I still side more with this film in the end. Indeed, its problems lie elsewhere. Because it is, of course, perfectly fine for a film to have a clear position on an issue it is trying to promote, but it should do so through its story, its narrative, and through its characters. Here, we can't avoid being wrapped up in a monologue at the end about what the film has actually been about all along, in case some dullard hasn't figured it out by now. Then the film just becomes a cliché of a self-important, encouraging YouTube video. Second, I have a problem with the position that we're all inherently beautiful, which just sounds like bad therapy. Look at the latest movies with the 60-year-old Emma Thompson. The woman is incredibly sexy just in the way she works her language, her body posture, her looks, how much you can feel her distinction and taste. That the film reduces her to a "shocking" full frontal scene at the end in the name of some universal human beauty is ultimately a cheap gesture and actually demeaning to her. PS: it's great that I can go to the cinema to see a film about two characters in one room while the new Andrew Dominik goes straight to TV. (2022-10-12)

A pleasant surprise. I like conversation dramas that take place in one place with an interesting idea, interesting thoughts and dialogues and nice actors. A film about sex, pleasure, self-acceptance and human connection. Emma Thompson is 55, a widow, has only had her husband in her life and he sucked in bed, so she decides to book a male escort to experience the thrill she wasted in her youth. Emma's acting is great and I enjoyed watching and listening to her past and problems. Daryl McCormack as the male escort is confident, likeable, very empathetic, smart and funny, and also with an interesting past. An unconventional couple of different ages in an unexpected situation. In the right mood, this can be a very enjoyable film, and it also has the typical British black humour. 7.5/10. (2022-07-07)

There is nothing exceptional about this conversational low-key melodrama. However, what will pull you in is the incredibly original screenplay, the openness of both characters, and the great impression of authentic life hidden in it. The chemistry between Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack is excellent and a pleasure to watch. The characters develop and even though it is a very intimate movie, it has momentum and flows briskly. Jokes, tears, and intimacy are perfectly enhanced by a soundtrack that lifts the film by several levels. (2022-07-17)