Film Review — Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
★★★★☆
A retired school teacher hires a young male escort, hoping to experience a sexual pleasure that has eluded her for her entire adult life.
A welcome far cry from the sex-driven comedies that have typified the genre, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a truly delightful romp. Without ever diluting the “good stuff”, director Sophie Hyde and writer Katy Brand playfully poke into the deeper meanings behind our biological urge for pleasurable connection.
The result is an uplifting, empowering and frequently hilarious film, positively brimming with the right kind of message. Indeed, much like its very handsome subject, Leo Grande always knows exactly what to say.
A lot of the film’s success is driven by the incredibly engaging performances of its two talented leads. Already considered an all-time great, Emma Thompson bears all — quite literally — perfectly capturing the anxiety and growing confidence of a woman desperate to make up for a life of lost pleasures. It’s a beautiful performance that will hopefully endear her to a new audience looking to take that brave first step towards self-acceptance and love.
Leo Grande’s real surprise, however, is…well, Leo Grande. Matching Thompson’s on-screen quality is quite a tall order, but Daryl McCormack measures up with a layered performance that feels remarkably authentic. I expect big things from this exciting young Irishman, a feeling probably shared by, what I imagine to be, a legion of new fans, smitten with his healthy charm, good looks and award-worthy acting range.
Much like its climax, this a film that will warm your soul, put a big smile on your face, and will very likely have you coming back for more. Is it weird that I’d happily recommend it to my mum?
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