I am starting to get used to a world where due to the number of streaming services, I have no idea what is coming out, when and whether movies even get theatrical release anymore. This film is a prime example, as I had not heard about it until my girlfriend said she would like to watch it. I thought it looked good, so we went for it, and that was the last time the word “good” would be in the same sentence as the title of this film. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a minimalistic film that feels larger than it is. It is a film that talks openly about many things people are still nervous discussing (sex, pleasure at older age, sex work) and most importantly, it has two outstanding performers at its core.
It feels almost reductive to write Emma Thompson is a national treasure, but in this movie, she bares it all, both acting-wise and in the literal sense too. But the film goes about it in such a delicate and non-judgemental way the moment it happens; you understand why it had to be there. It doesn’t feel awkward, cheap or out of place. Emma has had many outstanding roles and won two Oscars (one for leading actress and one for adapted screenplay, both for Sense and Sensibility (1995)), but this role feels like she is loudly announcing: “Hey, I am not done yet!” Quite honestly, her performance in this film must be in her TOP 3 because it requires so much from her it must have been challenging. But as an actor, she could rely on an amazing script and her partner-in-crime, Daryl McCormack.
I was not familiar with him whatsoever, but goddamn, this guy can act. These intimate films built around two people only work if both performers complement each other, and somehow, Emma and Daryl found that connection and carried this film together. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is that kind of “push and pull” movie, where one of our main heroes is always “king of the mountain”. There is an apparent power dynamic, but if you think for a second that dynamic will not shift throughout the film, you are mistaken. The movie switches genres and goes from light-hearted to darker places fast, but it never feels weird. Every scene and every turn in this film felt natural, and at times I forgot I was watching a movie and was just watching two very different people react.
If we put these two outstanding performances aside for a moment, you will notice how this film is told and shot meticulously. There is something about having women making films about these topics/themes, as the screenplay by Katy Brand feels so direct yet sure of itself. What I mean is the script talks about a variety of different, complex things, but I don’t think it ever gives you “one correct answer” to anything. Yes, this film is about empowerment and letting go of shame around sex/sex workers, but it never “fetishizes” the topic; it never skews one way because that’d be dishonest. No matter where you stand on this issue, if you say something like: “Well, this is easy, the solution is…”, you have already lost me. But not this film; Katy’s script navigates this minefield and makes it to the other side undamaged.
Now it’s the time to talk about the other woman behind the camera, the director Sophie Hyde. What I loved about her directing were two things – she made this intimate film feel larger than it was, and she shot the sex scenes realistically. Let me explain – these “small”, intimate films shot in (mostly) one room with a limited number of actors can sometimes feel stale, given the apparent limitation. After all, how many ways can you shoot one room? But Sophie cracked it; the film never felt trite or boring as she understood the assignment. It would be easy to get distracted and try to have some scenes with “cool-looking shots”. But this film stays true to what it sets out to do; it’s a quiet, powerful film about the world’s oldest profession, but with a dialogue from today, with a “fresh mindset”. You won’t find many clichés here; no matter where you stand on the “legalise sex work” debate, there is a nuanced “debate” happening in this film.
And this is where I need to go back to the beginning of my review. Because for a film I didn’t know existed until my girlfriend told me she wanted to watch it, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande surprised me, entertained me, made me think and, most importantly, it showcased two stellar performers. In one performance, we knew what the actress was capable of (and she still managed to surprise me), and in the other, I hope this performance will help Daryl to break through to more mainstream films/series. And both Emma and Daryl made this film work.
Overall, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, is a mature film that knows what it wants to say. It never pretends to be something it’s not; it is an honest piece of cinema that feels big in its minimalism. For the better part of the film, we only see Emma and Daryl, but you will never get bored, despite seeing only those two interact for the majority of the runtime. I also wouldn’t be shy to write this must be one of the best performances of Emma’s career, and given her talent and longevity, that is saying something. If you are looking for something more adult-oriented without any sleaziness attached to it, something with comedic elements but also something with “a soul”, look no further. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande should not disappoint you.
That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!
Until next time,
Luke