Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE [Sundance Film Festival 2022 - Virtual]
The aspect of a character drama revolving around sex work in an interesting contemplation but also a bigger conversation in society. Of course, the debates are a lot more complicated than that, especially in the United States. But what "Good Luck Leo Grande" [Premieres] does is talk about a lot of the questions in a completely understandable situation which is still very much is built to offer the easiest way per se to talk about the topics. The elements of discussions obviously about background, body image, the notion of pleasure and society expectations, norms and judgments are all integrated in the flow. Of course this is a very specific story where different aspects of the identities of both Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack's characters are reflective of their backgrounds. This would be an interesting stage play of course simply because its psychology is well structured and moved tit for tat (as it were) without being gratuitous in any way. Patience and perspective though are intensive virtues here and there is alot of talk which is the whole point.
Thompson's Nancy obviously has hang-ups but so does McCormack's Leo but he is more experienced to cover them up in the essence of his service to provide fantasy and understanding. It is fine line to walk which writer Katy Brand and director Sophie Hyde doo admirably. It is also is related in the people around the couple which we never see but re discussed. They have their perspectives of course but in the structure of this movie, as in real life, it only matters for the two people in the room. Had the gender structure been switched it would obviously have created a different template but the whole point is the awkwardness of the meeting and how it evolves over time. Nancy (Thompson) says at a very specific point that many older men want to be with her but she wants someone younger which is a very consistent thought in today's society. There is of course a double standard but what is interesting is that cinema is usually a reflection of the time (and in this case Europe is more than likely a little more democratic about it than the US). That said "Good Luck To You, Leo Grande" continues the aspect like "Call Jane" about discussing somewhat tricky but undeniable subjects that don't have an easier answer through the structure of the human comedy, both heartfelt and, in its way, its own tragedy. B
By Tim Wassberg
