Whenever I hear of a new movie about sex work I always feel a little bit of anxiety. Will it be true to life? Or will it just be a rehash of stale old tropes about “hookers”, “rent boys”, and “Pretty Woman”.
Well, from what I can see in the trailer the new movie Good Luck to You, Leo Grande seems promising. The scenes shown match my experience of being a male sex worker for women – if a somewhat over dramatic version as I have never met a woman quite so stressed and manic as the female client character that Emma Thompson plays. But this is Hollywood and I guess we just have to expect that they are going to over dramatise everything for effect.
I hope that the movie can focus on the experience of Emma Thompson’s character without getting mired in overly simplistic morality questions about sex work.
We will have to wait and see!
You can see the trailer for Good Luck to You, Leo Grand here:
John
Oh, that looks good! 😊
I’m cautiously optimistic about it! :-)
It does look good! It’s a rom-com so I think the overdramatization is forgivable if the overall story is a good one. I can empathize with her nervousness, and the multiple iterations of “Nancy…” did make me giggle a bit.
Yes, the real life experience of seeing a sex worker – while exciting and often nerve wracking – is not really going to make for scintillating viewing so I can forgive the writer for that :-)
I saw this this film this evening and remembered this blog post. I really enjoyed it and felt the experience of Emma Thompson’s character in the film was (although not identical) had a lot of similarities to my experience seeing you, John! Leo Grande was kind, respectful, genuine and non-judgemental – just as you are. There are a few parts that are over dramatised but overall it was really enjoyable and I did shed a tear here and there.
I loved the messaging in the film, it would be great if sex work were more accepted in society as a service (especially for women), as the film said – it could do so much for those who are shy, have a disability, need some excitement or just want to try something new.
I would love to think that this film is a great help to breaking down taboos in the industry, however the session I sat in was with older women mostly. It doesn’t seem like the type of film that many people beyond Emma Thompson’s age group will voluntarily go see, which is a shame. The marketing has a lot to do with that.
That’s great to hear Maria! I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m look forward to it. I had my doubts that it would be handled well, but it sounds like they did a good job.
Every little piece of mainstream media content that talks about male sex workers for women helps to spread the word and lets more women know that they have options if they are missing out on sex in their lives.
Yes, that’s true. I hope all women see this. I really think this film is a positive step in the right direction for the industry, and for women.
Let us know what you think when you do see it, John!
I am hearing plenty of good things about it! So I think we can call it a success :-)