Good Luck to you, Leo Grande (2022)

A two hander played in a superbly low key fashion by Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack; the former is a widow, Nancy, who has been left constantly frustrated sexually throughout her life (as well as in several other aspects) who hires the latter, Leo, a young escort, to find out exactly what it is she’s been missing. The film plays out almost exclusively in a hotel room, over a few meetings between the pair; and is beautifully written, poignant, and also laugh out loud funny. Although the film feels like it might have been adapted from a play (it wasn’t) it never comes across as one, it remains cinematic for the duration, something that Denzel Washington’s Fences (2016), for example, sadly failed to do. The script is a huge part of what makes Good Luck To You, Leo Grande so charming, and combined with a terrific central pairing of Thompson and McCormack, it results in an incredibly heartfelt comedy drama, one that more or less everyone will be able to relate to over the broad subject matters addressed by the two main characters. It’s a celebration of the importance of human lust and physical contact, and reminds us how repression of such parts of life can be so damaging in the long run, both mentally and physically; but the film still remains respectful to those who choose to make such sacrifices in avoiding said pleasure, be it religion or otherwise. The film ends brilliantly, and without giving anything away, I’ll simply say that Sophie Hyde has made a touching tale of human connection that's worth your time. 7.6/10