On February 8, the screening of the comedy drama “Love Challenge” started in cinemas. The picture entered Ukrainian distribution more than two years after its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The tape won universal acclaim from film critics, and the performer of the main role, Emma Thompson, was nominated for a Golden Globe and a British Academy Award for her work. In the review below, we tell you exactly what made this film popular with the public.

Pros:

excellent acting from Daryl McCormack and especially Emma Thompson; a qualitatively written and coolly acted story with living characters; quality comedic component

Cons:

at a certain point, the initial ardor disappears, which makes it less interesting to watch; the cinema does not offer any new or deep truths

7.5/10

Estimated by ITC.ua

“Love by challenge” / Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Genre sex comedy, drama
Director Sophie Hyde
In roles Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Loughland, Charlotte Ware, Karina Lopez
Premiere movie theaters
Graduation year 2022
Site IMDb

In a cozy hotel room, Nancy Stokes, a modest-looking woman in her 60s, is waiting for someone and is clearly nervous about it. 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 good name (unreal, of course) Leo Grande. After the death of her husband, which happened two years ago, Nancy decided to give herself a chance to explore her own sexuality and try all the things she had never done in 30 years of marriage.

However, this idea seemed appropriate in the thoughts of the heroine, but in practice everything went wrong. Nancy constantly feels uncomfortable, is not ready to open up to her partner, feels shame and guilt for her inappropriate behavior. Mental blocks prevent her from breaking free and getting real pleasure, which she consciously or unconsciously refused all her life.

However, quiet intimate conversations with a rather intelligent and attractive young man allow Nancy to 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 of director Sophie Hyde and screenwriter Cathy Brand “Love on Challenge” offers the viewer a small scripted miracle, if not a theatrical production, offering a single location and only two performers. Watching the incomparable Emma Thompson and young Irish actor Daryl McCormack put on this show is a real treat.

The authors manage to bind the viewer to the screen thanks to two key factors – brilliantly written, witty dialogues and no less brilliant embodiment on the screen, achieved thanks to the remarkable work of the actors.

It is obvious that the film is unlikely to reveal any new truths to the viewer, but it speaks its narratives confidently. After all, it is never too late to look at yourself from a different angle, to find something new in yourself, to try something that you have not dared to do for many years. There is always room for discovery, whether for some it manifests itself in the desire to engage in oral sex with a representative of the oldest profession.

Despite all the seriousness and adultness of the stated themes, “Love on a Challenge” works perfectly on a comedic level. At the same time, there is a gradual, natural disclosure of characters’ characters. As a result, this dramatic story about living people not only pleases, 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 assumptions are only confirmed: she is indeed a teacher, although she teaches the basics of religion.

And she once scolded her students for wearing too short skirts. And also has a set of complexes and wonders how modern young women can feel so free. And all her married life was limited to monotonous sex in one position and she never even experienced an orgasm. There will be many of these “more”, and digging into them is quite interesting.

Leo Grande is another matter – he is young, handsome, fit. Unleashed and ready to conquer new heights. But not everything is as perfect as it seems at first glance. He needs meetings with Nancy no less than she needs 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 strict teacher and mean a new look at herself, without any husk.

“Love on a Challenge” is not a frivolous, but light optimistic movie that makes an extremely pleasant impression. And let the initial ardor fade somewhat by the finale, it is absolutely impossible not to get 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 seems that this is not yet a cinematic orgasm, but a certain kind of pleasure is guaranteed here.

Conclusion:

“Love on a Challenge” is a movie for the soul, not the mind, which makes an extremely pleasant impression.