On February 8, the comedy drama “Love on Call” started showing in cinemas. The film limped into Ukrainian distribution more than two years after its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The film received universal recognition from film critics, and leading actress Emma Thompson was nominated for a Golden Globe and a British Academy Film Award for her work. In the review below we tell you exactly why this film won the favor of the public.
Pros:
excellent acting from Daryl McCormack and especially Emma Thompson; a well-written and well-acted story with lively characters; high-quality comedy component
Minuses:
at a certain point, the initial enthusiasm disappears, which makes it less interesting to watch; the cinema does not offer any new or deep truths
“Love on Call” / Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Genre sex comedy, drama
Directed by Sophie Hyde
Starring: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Laughland, Charlotte Ware, Karina Lopez
Premiere cinemas
Year of release 2022
IMDb website
In a cozy hotel room, a modest-looking woman of about 60, Nancy Stokes, is waiting for someone and is clearly nervous about this. And all because for the first time in her life she decided to use the services of a sex worker, in particular, a muscular handsome man with beautiful eyes, good manners and a beautiful name (not real, of course) Leo Grande. After the death of her husband two years ago, Nancy decided to give herself a chance to finally explore her own sexuality and try all the things she had never done in 30 years of marriage.
However, this plan seemed expedient in the heroine’s thoughts, but in practice everything went wrong. Nancy constantly feels uncomfortable, is not ready to open up to her partner, and feels shame and guilt for her inappropriate behavior. Mental blocks prevent her from liberating herself and receiving true pleasure, which she has consciously or unconsciously refused all her life.
However, quiet, intimate conversations with a fairly intelligent and attractive young man make Nancy feel safe. Soon these confessional conversations begin to have a therapeutic effect on both of them, which will change their lives forever.
The sex dramedy directed by Sophie Hyde and screenwriter Katie Brand, “Love on Call,” offers the viewer a small script miracle, almost a theatrical production, offering a single location and only two performers. Watching the incomparable Emma Thompson and young Irish actor Daryl McCormack perform this performance is an absolute pleasure.
The authors succeed in riveting the viewer to the screen thanks to two key factors – brilliantly written, witty dialogues and their equally brilliant embodiment on the screen, achieved thanks to the outstanding work of the actors.
Obviously, the film is unlikely to reveal any new truths to the viewer, but it confidently pronounces its narratives. In the end, it’s never too late to look at yourself from a different angle, to find something new in yourself, to try something that you haven’t dared to do for many years. There is always room for discovery, even if for some this manifests itself in the desire to have oral sex with a representative of the oldest profession.
Despite all the seriousness and adulthood of the stated themes, “Love on Call” works perfectly on a comedic level. At the same time, there is a gradual, natural revelation of the characters’ characters. As a result, this dramedy story about living people not only amuses, but also evokes a sincere response from the audience.
Emma Thompson’s character, from the very first frame, gives the impression of a strict literature teacher who has had sex 9 times in her life. And then these guesses are only confirmed: she really is a teacher, although she teaches the basics of religion.
She also once scolded her students for wearing too short skirts. She also has a set of complexes and is surprised how modern young women can feel so relaxed. And throughout her married life she was limited to monotonous sex in one position and never even experienced an orgasm. There will be a lot of these “more”, and delving into them is quite interesting.
Leo Grande is another matter – young, handsome, fit. Uninhibited and ready to conquer new heights. But not everything is as perfect for him as it seems at first glance. He needs meetings with Nancy no less than she needs meetings with him. As a result, both will learn each other’s real names, and the woman will reveal hers herself. This symbolic gesture will tear off the mask of a stern teacher and will mean a new look at herself, without any fluff.
“Love on Call” is not a frivolous, but light, optimistic movie that makes an extremely pleasant impression. And even though the initial enthusiasm fades somewhat towards the end, it is absolutely impossible not to be carried away by such a bold role of Emma Thompson, who was not afraid to bare herself in the frame, and her interaction with her partner on the set. It may not be a cinematic orgasm yet, but a certain kind of pleasure is guaranteed.
Conclusion:
“Love on Call” is a movie for the soul, not the mind, which makes an extremely pleasant impression.
