Good Luck to You , Leo Grande ( Meine Stunde mit Leo ) **** 1 / 2 UK 2022 , opening July 14 , 2022
Directed by : Sophie Hyde Writing credits : Katy Brand Principal actors : Emma Thompson , Daryl McCormack , Isabella Laughland
© Wild Bunch
Some films ’ effortless , unembellished brilliance take your breath away , and this is one of them . Director Sophie Hyde ’ s carefully crafted subtle sensitivity , with its twist of orneriness , in tandem with Katy Brand ’ s clever , perspicuous , wry , and suggestive screenplay is wonderful . Stellar actors add a stroke of brilliance . Meine Stunde mit Leo promises laugh-out-loud fun , and its thought-provoking insight regarding gender expectations is empowering .
Two-time Oscar winner Emma
Thompson portrays Nancy Stokes , a recently widowed and retired teacher ; her relationship with her two adult children is aloof at best . She simply wants to experience what she never has had , is nervous as a cat , and highly pent-up . “ Not good at waiting for things to happen ,” she falteringly adds . Except that she is well-intentioned .
She is countervailed by Daryl McCormack ’ s character : Leo Grande likes his work , is wiser than his years , patient with a healthy sense of humor , professionally candid , and kind . He is also a hunk and takes note of Nancy ’ s expectations , if somewhat facetiously . During their transactions , their exchanges challenge each other ’ s perceptions , confusions , stereotypes , disappointments , and regrets . The safety of anonymity , the need to speak openly regarding moral correctness , lends itself in the fullness of time to frank discussion .
The chemistry between Thompson and McCormack is delectable , divine , authentic , and a pleasure to watch . Amy Hubbard ’ s casting was inspired . Bryan Mason ’ s cinematography is amusingly observant , considering most of the film is spent in a hotel room . Amazingly , Miren Marañón ’ s intimate production design and Fiona Albrow ’ s set decoration have plenty of attention-worthy detailing ; notice Thompson ’ s hair / clothing changes during the film . Equally , Mason ’ s editing is judicious and gently probing , and Stephen Rennicks ’ music tunefully and appealingly apropos .
By film ’ s end , the surprisingly delightful and enlightening trysts spare neither sex . Good luck to you , Leo Grande , and to Brand and Hyde for this charmingly unique exposé about honesty , respect , and sex in its many manifestations . 97 minutes . ( Marinell Haegelin )
34 In Hamburg