No. 65 (2022) GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE July 30th.

 

Film No. 65 (2022)  July  30th.  10.45 AM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"My husband would roll on top, do the business, roll off, put his pyjamas back on and go to sleep." (Nancy responds to Leo's question as to what she was used to when it came to bedroom etiquette).

Emma Thompson playing a stuffy, retired, teacher taking a walk on the wild-side; namely sharing intimacy with a sex-worker, is surely a new challenge for an actor of her standing. I have to say I was entertained, but while Thompson was, as expected, classy, it was Daryl McCormack as sex worker Leo Grande who stole the show.

Backed by the streaming network HULU, LEO GRANDE is an example of the fruits of an industry trying to create product during lockdown, 2020. The film presents as a play for the screen, but I'm not disdainful of that fact. Director Sophie Hyde (ANIMALS) stamps her fresh approach to film-making, bringing creator, Katy Brand's (GLUED) script to life cleverly within the confines of the 4 walls of a four star hotel room for 95 minutes.

 

Entertaining an audience, in feature length terms, in the confines of one space, is no trivial matter. It takes skill, a good script and the charismatic performances of two actors who are poles apart when it comes to their pedigree. It is the early scenes where McCormack makes his mark. His poise relaxes not just Thompson's Nancy but the audience as well. He removes the potential for cringe in those early scenes. 

Nancy and Leo meet in this hotel room for a purpose. Nancy wants to get laid, but then, when it all is about to come to pass, cold feet are the order of the day. We know she will eventually come around, and that is where the potential for shallowness of this drama exists. Nancy and Leo form a bond. Each have unresolved family issues which would be not uncommon to any mother or son. The script cleverly melds these strangers together through intelligent thoughtful conversation. While seemingly a risqué theme (for those who have seen the trailer), it is a pleasant, safe, thought provoking drama.  9GUMS.