#MovieReview: A quietly honest portrayal of feminine desire

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is an interesting take on the traditional romantic comedy, with one of the best performances of the year.

It is a small story, told largely in five interactions between Nancy Stokes (Thompson) and the titular sex worker, Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack).

Although it is no longer unheard of to see female desire – particularly that of a woman over 60 – on screen, it is still refreshing to watch a film that discusses sex frankly and from a feminine perspective.

Women have desires too, who knew? Apparently not the majority of filmmakers in the past century.

Given it is largely a two-hander, Leo Grande unravels like a stage play, but has a propulsive undercurrent that keeps the viewer engaged.

This contained plot is handled well by director Sophie Hyde, who is neither frantic nor languid with her direction, maintaining a nice pace throughout.

It is certainly not groundbreaking cinema, but what a pleasure it is to see these kinds of stories.

Mild spoilers to follow
Stokes has endured a largely loveless marriage where her husband’s idea of sex was the old ‘one, two, skip a few, 99 good night love’.

Seeking to have her desires met after his death, she hires Grande to help tick off a checklist of things she had never experienced in the bedroom.

Naturally, Stokes has some misgivings after her preconceived notion of the meeting becomes real when Grande arrives at her door.

She expects him to be a human sex toy, but quickly learns that he is a real person who despite his confident exterior, has his own reasons for the work he undertakes.

Their relationship becomes one that almost mirrors a therapist and patient, as apparently is often the case with sex workers.

It confronts the idea that anyone engaging in the business has to be damaged or from a chequered background, but ultimately caves to that idea.

This is the film’s weakest point, but it is at least done tastefully in service of the greater story.

Thompson and relative newcomer McCormack have excellent chemistry, and the film is willing to steer into the uncomfortable aspects of its subject matter.

It is unlikely to make huge waves, but watch it if you can. The brilliant Thompson is worth the entry price alone.

Rated 18 for Sex, Nudity and Language.
3.5/5.

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