Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

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source: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

We saw this movie tonight on Hulu, "Good Luck To You, Leo Grande." Set in London, it tells of a widowed, retired schoolteacher who hires a young, male sex worker. She had a dull, unfulfilling sex life with her late husband, and she's never had an *. This is an absolutely brilliant, intelligent, thoroughly adult movie. It has some of the frankest, detailed sex talk I've ever heard in a major, mainstream movie; and it is refreshingly invigorating. Only prudes will object. Emma Thompson gives an audacious, intuitive portrayal of a woman who realizes she's never experienced sexual ecstasy, and with her desires to *feel* like a woman capable of sensual pleasures, she's also riddled with repressed hang-ups, her negative body image, and the feeling that her golden chances have passed her by. Thompson confronts this woman's inner persona with a dazzling skill that reminds me of Bette Davis's turn as Margo Channing: Thompson captures the essence of the mental afflictions - undoubtedly a significant number - many repressed, older women face when they realize something vital in their being has been, and/or is missing from their lives. But; there are likely just as many men who have the same inner afflictions. This is a story for all people. Thompson's performance is multiple-award worthy, and I think her powerful turn will speak to many women. Most importantly, Thompson imbues her characterization with deft, keen humor; her gift of irony intermingled with sarcasm and pathos is just right. The last scene that closes the movie is shockingly perfect, a testament to Thompson's willingness to do what only great actors will do: taking *the* ultimate risk to achieve the effective means to completing the impact of the characterization. This portrayal will be talked about everywhere, and referentially, for years. Just as good, though, is Daryl McCormack as the young man who helps his client find her way. He is deeply charming and appealing, and there's no element of sleaze or creepiness about his character. We find out that he, too is all too human. These two actors play off each other with complete, fluid give-and-take, and the chemistry and nuances they coax out mutually, in pursuit of bringing these two very human characters to life, is a pleasure to behold. This is *reacting* of the highest order. Absorbing, compelling, and compassionate, this tale about what it is to be human is a must-see. This is the kind of movie I relish, about real people and real feelings.

Well it would be called Pretty Woman. And we already saw way too many films with female prostitutes earlier as well. It's nothing shocking. Coming to the movie, the performances and writing is really strong in this one.. recommended.

If this movie had been made in the 80's or early 90's the story would have been very daring but today it''s just boring! The plot is laughingly shallow and the script is DRT (dead right there). Fifteen minutes into the movie and I was thinking about what to eat for lunch the next day. Steer clear of this one and spend some time thinking about a healthy lunch.

People who write, "Emma wasn't sexy enough" are missing the point. EVERYONE should love their bodies and the pleasure that can be had, physical and emotional, with or without other people. That sounds pretentious, but--I'm sorry, Emma T is an onion, peeling back layer upon layer of an older woman, a woman who's never had satisfying sex. How brave her character is, to hire a sex worker...how brave Emma-the-actress is, to bare both body and soul for the camera, for US. A breathtaking performance. Am I the only one who related to every sigh, to every single cringe of insecurity, of calling yourself "embarrassing" or "pathetic" before someone else calls you that first? I think not. And Daryl McCormick was a fantasy come true--built like a Greek god, sensitive, giving, and aware that he was a fantasy. Their give-and-take, their off-and-on...I have a feeling I shall be reliving this in my mind for a long, long time to come. And for those who say, But if you reverse roles, it's creepy: It has ALWAYS been men, older men, more powerful men, younger women; the men have power, and the women trade their beauty. In this story, she is older, but she is vulnerable. I rarely see men as vulnerable in other stories. This is something I have never before seen on film. When the minority up-ends the majority, when the weaker overcomes the stronger--that is a story. Male privilege, we've seen. Turning the tables, especially with extraordinary actors like Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack, is here a revelation. Interesting that the film's title is wishing HIM luck--she has found her happy ending.