Good Luck to You, Leo Grande - SPOILER-FREE Review | Sundance 2022
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© Sundance Institute
Directed by: Sophie Hyde
Written by: Katy Brand
Starring: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack
Runtime: 97 min
Synopsis: Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson) doesn’t know good sex. Whatever it may be, Nancy, a retired schoolteacher, is pretty sure she has never had it, but she is determined to finally do something about that. She even has a plan: It involves an anonymous hotel room, and a young sex worker who calls himself Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack). Leo is confident, dapper, and takes pride in being good at his job. He also appears to be intrigued by Nancy - one of many things to surprise her during their time together.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Filmhounds Magazine. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a surprisingly enlightening, lovely, amusing story about sex, pleasure, self-acceptance, and genuine human connections. Sophie Hyde is able to create a safe environment where uncomfortable, sensitive topics can be discussed as ordinary conversation. Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack share tremendous chemistry, both committing 100% to their roles, but the actress stands out, being a strong contender for awards even beyond the festival. However, for a film that tackles hard-to-talk-about themes with so little restraint, it feels a bit disappointing that nudity and sex itself are barely depicted in an equally natural, free form. Despite a redundant mid-portion, it's a must-watch movie with an absolutely perfect last shot.
