For me personally, there is nothing more intriguing than listening to a sincere conversation between two people, who are completely emotionally vulnerable, who slowly learn about each other and somehow find themselves simultaneously. Whether it’s an interview, podcast, or in the case of Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, four different meetings between Nancy (Emma Thompson) and Leo (Daryl McCormack), if two people talking can hold your attention for 90 minutes or more, then those people are so unique and their conversations are so engaging that it’s hard not to be invested.
Nancy, a former religious education teacher who has a penchant for being incredibly formal and organised, has been a widow for two years. Her story starts waiting in a hotel room, meticulously, but more so, nervously, moving things around in anticipation for her guest. A knock at the door introduces Nancy to Leo, a charming and incredibly attractive man in his late-20s, who confidently enters the room, juxtaposing Nancy’s awkwardness. It soon becomes clear what this encounter is entailing. Leo is a sex worker, and Nancy wants to explore her sexuality after 30 years of self-confessed ‘boring sex’.
Their first meeting involves a back and forth of small-talk pleasantries as Leo attempts to slowly bring the reclusive Nancy out of her shell, something Nancy seems to desire but constantly reneges on. There conversation begins to unravel Nancy’s sexual past, and the restriction she has felt after decades of not being loved in the way she has always wished. Before long, Nancy begins finding comfortability and solace in Leo’s open and non-judgmental demeanour, and she begins to open up about the struggles of being a parent and an uptight teacher. However, just as transactional as the two-hours that Nancy has paid for to have Leo there, Nancy implies an interest in Leo and his life, something that Leo backs away from, constantly stating that what he provides is a fantasy and he intends to keep it that way.
As the film continues, Nancy and Leo meet three more times, and each time reveals more about themselves in a way that explores so many beautiful themes like repressed sexuality, pleasing family, body-positivity, sex positivity and embracing ageing. Katy Brand’s screenplay is a poignant and intimate dissection of so many themes that, for some strange reason, are still found to be incredibly taboo in modern media. Brandt finds an honest way to explore human desires, both physically and emotionally, while crafting a story with scenarios, characters and dialogue that will undoubtedly leave audiences in stitches. Whether it’s Nancy’s insistence of giving a blowjob (ultimately saying ‘blowjob’ about 7 times within 60 seconds) or Leo’s charmingly sarcastic reactions to Nancy’s occasional prudeness.
A script can only be as good as the performances given, and in the case of Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, Emma Thompson gives her most vulnerable and engaging performances, and Daryl McCormack shines in what could be considered his breakout, feature film role. Thompson’s take on Nancy emulates the stereotypes of an early-50s, ex-religious teacher who admits to berating the girls she taught for wearing skirts too high on the leg. But once her guard is slowly taken down by Leo, the conflict she displays between the woman who is repulsed by her body and sexual desire, and the woman who is ready to finally live her life lends to a fantastic character study that leads to a truly emotional, and in Thompson’s case, physically vulnerable performance.
McCormack also carries a brunt of the emotional weight of the story once Leo is challenged by something Nancy ends up finding out about him in one of their later meetings. Much like Nancy, Leo also has his insecurities, less so about his sexaulity and his body, but more about his family’s reaction to his choice of work. On the infrequent occasion that his cool, calm and collected personality is cracked open by Nancy, his ability to seamlessly navigate his way through the moment in an authentic way adds many layers to his complex character.
Australian director, Sophie Hyde, does a fantastic job at sparking life into the conversations with camerawork that mirrors the emotion of the scene. Arguments or sense of tension are seen from afar, in a voyeuristic tone. A heartwarming dance scene has the camera gracefully moving around Nancy and Leo as their physical relationship grows. Scenes of intimacy and sexual romance are often shown in close ups of lips or fingers slowly caressing the other’s body. Every moment of sexuality in this film never feels pointless or gratuitous, as it always lends itself to the story and characters, with a feeling of loving admiration and warmth.
Good Luck To You, Leo Grande is vulnerability incarnate, both emotionally and physically. There isn’t a part of the characters, or even the actors, that isn’t left bare on the screen. The film is a beautiful look at sexual acceptance and positivity, while carefully guiding through a character based narrative about judgemnet and opening yourself up to others. Thompson and McCormack are wonderful on screen together and both deserve the utmost of praises for their performances. This is the movie that will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart, and the boldness to open up on your desires, sexual or otherwise.
Good Luck To You, Leo Grande played as part of 2022’s Sydney Film Festival. The movie premieres on Hulu, Friday, June 17. It will also be released in Australian cinemas thanks to Roadshow Films on August 18.
