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Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack are sensational in this intimate comedy drama about a widow who wants to experience more from life.
Nancy Stokes lost her husband two years ago. Her relationship had been unfulfilling sexually and so, freed from the shackles of marriage, she books a session with Leo Grande, a young sex worker. Their initial encounter is awkward. But in a second session Nancy gains confidence, not just in what she desires of Leo, but in discussing the details of her life; the tedium of her sex life, her disappointment with her children and an unfulfilling professional life. In turn, Leo gradually opens up to Nancy. But in doing so, both find themselves exposed emotionally – a situation more precarious than any physical act.
The third feature by Sophie Hyde (52 Tuesdays, Animals) makes the most of its intimate setting to flesh out the intimacies of Katy Brand’s smart, frequently funny and ultimately moving screenplay. The age difference between Leo and Nancy allows for an exploration of differing attitudes to sex, relationships and the role of family, which Hyde navigates in a way that adds tension to the dynamic between the characters. McCormack, who was previously seen in Peaky Blinders, impresses as Leo. But this is Thompson’s show, and she dazzles as Nancy. One of her finest performances in an already remarkable career, Thompson is refreshingly frank and utterly believable.
