‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande‘ (2022), director Sophie Hyde‘s first film made outside of Australia, is a product of the pandemic. The disease caused by the Covid-19 virus has had few positive effects, but among them were the productions of several films that got the chance to be made or in any case took on a special and different form precisely because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic – reduced freedom of movement, small filming and production teams, schedules dictated by external factors that are difficult to negotiate. Filmed in less than three weeks preceded by a few days of preparation, with the story taking place mostly in a single hotel room and with two characters who are practically present on screen from beginning to end, ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande‘ is one such film to which the constraints dictated by the pandemic restrictions have given a special shape and style. But, of course, the film would not have had an impact if it had not boldly approached a delicate subject and if it had not brought together two characters who manage to win the empathy of the audience from the first scene.
Nancy (not the real name) is 62 years old, a retired religion teacher and a widow. Feeling that something is missing in her life, she decides to make up for the lack of satisfying sexual experiences by hiring the services of a young ‘sex worker’ (I use the politically correct term used in the film) named Leo Grande (not the real name). The meetings between the two take place in a hotel room and unfold completely differently than Nancy expects. Leo is not only a sculptural young man physically, but also a charming personality, who seems to understand the woman’s desires and frustrations from the beginning and makes her feel more and more loved and better in her own body. But is this his true character, or are we dealing with a consummate professional of the oldest profession in the world (with a difference!)? The two begin to get to know each other, the retired teacher receives a late lesson, but what is game and paid service and what is true in their relationship?
The script combines two themes that are not necessarily completely original, but are approached differently in ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande‘. Emma Thompson plays the role of a woman who desperately tries to recover some of the lost time by experiencing the sensations she missed because of a repressed sexuality. The heroine will discover that fulfillment does not necessarily mean ticking all the boxes in pornographic literature but rather reconciling with her own person, including with her physique inevitably marked by age. Emma Thompson performs one of her most dramatic and original roles lately and does it with aplomb and courage. The young Daryl McCormack manages to give substance to a character that is not as well-defined as the woman’s and that could easily fall into decorativeism. The figure of the ‘good prostitute’ is a classic female role, but when the roles are reversed, talent and good guidance are needed to render the complexity and dignity of the character. The chemistry between the two actors is perfect, Sophie Hyde introducing ‘method’ elements in the preparation of the production so that the actors get to know and become comfortable with each other. The dialogues written by Katy Brand (author and entertainment star) are very well written. Cinematographer Bryan Mason manages to make us become familiar and not get bored with the hotel room set and takes the camera in hand as many times as necessary for dramatic moments. ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande‘ is both a (good) comedy about sex and much more than that.