Good Luck to You, Leo Grande – Sex Work Portrayed in Positive Light

Never released in the theaters, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande had its premiere at Sundance then went straight to streaming on Hulu. Written and directed by Australian powerhouse Sophie Hyde, the piece is filled with pain, heart, joy and passion – so much so that the Oscars had to throw aside their rule that a film had to have a theatrical screening before streaming online to be considered for an award.

Thompson, who bears all in the film, from her soul to her body, plays an uptight woman in her fifties who is a retired schoolteacher. After raising two disappointing children and following the death of a husband who never pleased or cared to please her in bed, she wants to break free, live life, and experience sexual freedom and fulfillment.

Arranging to meet a sex worker (played by Daryl McCormack) in a nice hotel, she almost backs out of the deal several times, embarrassed at what she wants and needs, uncomfortable that she’s attracted to the younger man, and judgmental of herself and him. She questions McCormack, and you get the painful backstories of both characters. But what’s unique about the film is not only the fact that the sex worker is a man, which we don’t often see, but his reasons for choosing the career are not typical Hollywood fare. He reveals he became a sex worker because he enjoys it, he’s good at it, and he helps people. And Thompson’s character, desperately needs that help.

Without giving away any spoilers, the story ends on a very interesting note of acceptance of our own sexuality and gives huge kudos to sex workers for helping people live fuller lives.

Though no one can count their chickens until they hatch (let’s not forget how the Academy snubbed Shame back in 2012 because “America is too scared of sex”), it’s highly possible that the Academy could take a step forward and nominate Thompson – she’s that amazing. The frosting on the cake would be if they also had the courage to nominate the film as best picture and best screenplay – it deserves it.

Regardless of what happens, what makes the critical success of the film such a win for the adult industry is that Good Luck to You, Leo Grande shares a positive viewpoint on sex work, why it should be legitimized and why it’s important – something that has been sorely lacking in mainstream media.

Check it out on Hulu if you haven’t seen it yet, and root for it in all the awards! As for Thompson – she’s a queen and if she doesn’t get a nomination she’ll have been robbed.

Photo credit: iStock.com/vzphotos