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Good Luck To You, Leo Grande review: A sex comedy that is both liberating and hugely moving 0 252

Stanley Myrick

GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE

(15) 97mins

★★★★★

SEX with a stranger can be awkward. But what is it like when you’ve paid that stranger?

This is something comedian Katy Brand explores in the film she has written about the delicate transaction of buying sex.

AlamyEmma Thompson stars in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande as a widow who hires a male prostitute (Daryl McCormack) to help her finally explore her sexuality[/caption]

We are invited to peep behind the velvet curtains of a plush hotel room where nervous widow Nancy (Emma Thompson) has hired a male prostitute, Leo (Daryl McCormack) to help her finally explore her sexuality.

Nancy is a pragmatic RE teacher, wife, mother and daughter.

During all these years of duty, she has barely lived a sex life at all, despite being married to a man who “died prematurely more than 30 years ago.”

Tragically, she’s never had an orgasm — so this is her time to explore.

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But she is lacking confidence and feels very uncertain about her rash decision to pay Leo for sex.

And the dreamy-eyed, silky-voiced Irishman is the perfect antidote to her concerns.

Their pre-coital conversation is hilarious, with Nancy sharing her insecurities and self-doubt about feeling like a dirty old woman.

Looking at Leo, who is 30 years her junior she says: “I’m a pervert — I feel like Rolf Harris.”

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“Who’s Rolf Harris?” the young man replies.

This film is mostly a comedy, but littered throughout the many laugh-out-loud moments is something deeply tragic and heart-wrenchingly sad.

While laughing about how bad her husband was in bed — “he would put his pyjamas on afterwards and would go straight to sleep” — she then admits the only time she ever felt lust in her life was towards a waiter on a family holiday in Greece as a teenager.

The tears start to flow as she recounts the memory, and her pain and longing for more feel real.

It is almost entirely a two-character piece set in a hotel room over several weeks, but director Sophie Hyde never makes it feel claustrophobic or drab.

It’s a room full of excitement, expectation and experiments.

It’s difficult to believe that the sexy, impossibly confident Emma Thompson could be believable as a downtrodden RE teacher who has never come near the big O.

But she is. Totally and utterly convincing.

Her bold and beautiful nude scenes should be applauded extra hard.

As for McCormack as the self-assured but clearly damaged Leo, his fine performance stands up to the award-winning Thompson and will, I don’t doubt, have many middle-aged women googling “male escorts in my area”.

This sexy, clever and moving film is what Hollywood has been missing for so long.

And it feels hugely liberating to see it on the big screen.

LIGHTYEAR

(PG) 97mins

★★★☆☆

BUZZ is back in this new offering from Pixar, all about where the legendary character came from.

It focuses on the movie that Toy Story’s Andy – the beloved owner of Buzz, Woody and crew – fell in love with and the reason he was desperate to own a Lightyear.

AlamyLightyear focuses on the movie Toy Story’s Andy[/caption]

Buzz (Chris Evans) has spent years trying to return home – and encountered many problems along the way, mostly created by enemy Zurg (James Brolin) who wants to steal Buzz’s fuel source.

Something we’ll all understand with the current petrol prices.

This is a sci-fi adventure rather than a heart-warming Pixar film.

It even has a few nods to Star Wars for super fans.

Being well-trained in the world of Marvel, Evans puts in a solid shift as a superhero.

But it’s his sidekick and feline friend, Sox (Peter Sohn) who steals the show.

The script is patchy and not engaging in parts – and the chase sequences become relentlessly confusing.

Lightyear won’t go down in the Pixar hall of fame like Toy Story 2, Up and Inside Out – instead settling alongside Monsters University.

A big blast, but boy did I miss Woody.

CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH

(15) 109mins

★★☆☆☆

COOPER RAIFF writes, directs and takes the lead in this saccharine twenty-something tale, which tries really hard to make you feel good, but ends up being mostly mawkish.

Raiff is 22-year-old Andrew, who has just graduated from college and is struggling to get on the career ladder.

AlamyCha Cha Real Smooth tries really hard to make you feel good, but ends up being mostly mawkish[/caption]

Back where he grew up in New Jersey he’s eager but directionless, living with his mum (Leslie Mann) and her partner, working shifts at food outlet Meat World and saving up to visit Barcelona.

When a job opportunity falls into his lap he finds himself working as the local Bar Mitzvah party starter where he meets Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic teenage daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt).

Andrew forms a bond with Lola and senses a Mrs Robinson-style spark with the older Domino, but although he thinks she might be his soulmate, Domino is already engaged to another man.

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There are manufactured life-affirming moments aplenty, but everything feels too contrived and constantly teeters over into twee territory, ultimately leaving this Cha Cha out of step.

  • In cinemas and Apple TV

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Porn and Mental Health: The Challenges and Strategies for Coping in the Industry 0 177

Alice Trout

Pornography is a billion-dollar industry that has gained widespread popularity across the globe. However, while it may be a source of entertainment for some, the industry can be challenging for performers’ mental health. The pressure to perform and meet the expectations of producers and viewers can take a toll on performers’ mental wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore the challenges that the porn industry poses to mental health and strategies for coping with them.

The Challenges

  1. Stigma and Shame

The porn industry is still stigmatized, and performers can face a lot of shame and judgment from society. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety, making it difficult for performers to seek help and support when needed.

  1. Pressure to Perform

Performers in the porn industry are expected to meet certain expectations and perform at their best every time. This pressure can be overwhelming and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

  1. Isolation and Loneliness

Performing in the porn industry can be a lonely experience, with performers spending long hours on set or on their own, away from friends and family. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can take a toll on mental health.

  1. Trauma and Abuse

The porn industry is not immune to issues such as sexual harassment, assault, and exploitation. Performers may experience these traumatic events, leading to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Strategies for Coping

Seek Professional Help

Performers in the porn industry should seek professional help and support when they need it. There are many therapists and counselors who specialize in working with performers in the industry and can help with issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is crucial for performers in the porn industry. Taking breaks when needed, exercising, and practicing mindfulness and meditation can help performers manage stress and promote mental wellbeing.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Having a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues can make a big difference in performers’ mental health. Surrounding yourself with people who understand the challenges of the industry and offer non-judgmental support can help performers cope with the stresses of the job.

Address Trauma and Abuse

Performers who have experienced trauma and abuse in the industry should seek support and address these issues head-on. This may involve therapy, reporting incidents to the authorities, and taking legal action if necessary.

Conclusion

The porn industry poses significant challenges to performers’ mental health, from stigma and shame to pressure to perform and trauma and abuse. However, with the right strategies, performers can cope with these challenges and maintain good mental wellbeing. Seeking professional help, practicing self-care, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and addressing trauma and abuse are just a few strategies that can help performers in the porn industry maintain good mental health.

Navigating Consent and Boundaries in the Porn Industry: A Guide for Newcomers 0 165

Alice Trout

Consent and boundaries are crucial aspects of the porn industry, and it’s essential for newcomers to understand how to navigate these issues. In this article, we’ll provide a guide for those who are new to the industry on how to approach consent and boundaries in a professional and respectful manner.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that consent is always required in the porn industry. This means that every actor must give explicit and enthusiastic consent to any sexual act that is portrayed on camera. Consent can be given verbally or non-verbally, but it must always be clear and enthusiastic.

In order to ensure that consent is obtained, communication is key. Actors should have open and honest conversations with their scene partners and the director prior to filming. They should discuss what they are comfortable with and what their boundaries are, as well as any specific instructions or concerns.

It’s also important for actors to feel empowered to set their own boundaries and to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe during filming. This means that if an actor does not want to perform a particular act or if they feel that their boundaries are being pushed, they have the right to stop the scene and speak to the director about their concerns.

It’s also essential for actors to be aware of their own physical and emotional limits. This means that they should take breaks as needed, communicate with their scene partner and director about any discomfort or pain, and engage in self-care practices to ensure that they are physically and emotionally prepared for the demands of the job.

Finally, it’s important for actors to have a support system in place. This can include talking to other actors who have experience in the industry, seeking out counseling or therapy, and having trusted friends and family members who can provide emotional support.

Navigating consent and boundaries in the porn industry can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. By following these guidelines, newcomers to the industry can ensure that they are approaching these issues in a professional and responsible manner.

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