directed by Sophie Hyde
I can’t remember the last time I was so intrigued by a film. When I saw Emma Thompson in the cast, I knew it’d be a good quality production, but I’d no idea how amazed I’d be. We get to know Nancy (Emma Thompson), a retired school teacher who’s waiting in a hotel room for a sex worker she’s hired. Soon we meet Leo (Daryl McCormack), a young and incredibly charming man, who’s doing his best to relax the woman as she seems stressed about the situation. Nancy lost her husband two years before and she admits that she’s never experienced anything spectacular in her sex life. We learn that to her, sex was just a must-be activity, leading to no orgasm in her case. Leo doesn’t only want to do the job, but he seems genuinely concerned about Nancy’s well-being. He feels the need to help the woman deal with some kind of trauma and make sure she experiences the beauty of sex. The film shows their meetings in that hotel room, where they don’t only have sex, but also become friends, despite their significant age difference. At some point we may realise that it’s not only Nancy, who needs support, but Leo as well, even if he’s not fully aware of it. Generally, it is a comedy and it made me laugh several times, but if I had to describe this film with one word it would be “stunning”. It focuses on the topic of sex, which is still a big taboo among many, yet it doesn’t present it as something disgraceful, dirty or shameful – it shows that sex can be (and should be) intimate, passionate, fulfilling, satisfying, safe. And that it should be a cooperation between two (or more) people, not just an activity, where you care only about yourself and your own needs. Also, it points out that sex is for everyone. There’s no such thing as perfect body, perfect age, perfect whatever – we all deserve to be pleased. So at first, it may seem like a comedy about a middle-aged woman looking for some fun with a younger man, but in fact, it’s an incredibly deep story that leaves you stunned. I believed both actors were magnificent in their roles and I couldn’t take my eyes off of them and their chemistry. I hope it won’t be a big spoiler if I tell you we can see naked Emma Thompson in this film – and as she admits herself, it was one of the most difficult things she’s ever had to do. Let me remind you that the actress is currently over 60 years old and in our society it’s common to judge female bodies on a massive scale. That is why it was such a strong scene and I admire Emma with my whole heart for that decision. Not because she has anything to be ashamed of, but because she proves that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. I honestly feel like it’s one of the best films of 2022, so don’t even think of missing it.
My rating: 8/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 