Good Luck to You, Leo Grande; Reflections on Intimacy, Touch, and Rediscovery

This post was inspired by the recent television showing of Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, a film that continues to resonate deeply with anyone interested in the healing power of touch, sensuality, and self-acceptance.

Starring Emma Thompson as Nancy, a retired schoolteacher who hires a young sex worker, Leo, beautifully played by Daryl McCormack, the film unfolds almost entirely in the quiet intimacy of a hotel room. Yet within that space, a remarkable journey takes place, one of vulnerability, courage, and rediscovery.

What makes Good Luck to You, Leo Grande so refreshing is its open-hearted normalisation of sex work. There’s no sensationalism, no shame, just two people learning how to be present, honest, and kind to each other. Leo’s professionalism, empathy, and calm presence mirror the same qualities at the heart of sensual bodywork: respect, care, and the ability to create a safe, supportive space for exploration and healing.

It’s also striking to see a story about an older woman’s sexuality told with such sensitivity. Nancy’s longing isn’t treated as something tragic or indulgent, but as something completely human. Her journey is one that many people who visit Sensual Bodyworks can relate to, the desire to reconnect with their sensual self, to feel seen, and to experience pleasure without judgement.

In a society that often tells us to suppress desire, especially as we age, this film is a gentle reminder that intimacy doesn’t have an expiry date. Whether through a trusted partner or the safe, nurturing environment of professional bodywork, it’s never too late to explore what pleasure and embodiment truly mean.

If there’s one part that disappointed me, it was Leo’s backstory of abuse. It felt unnecessary in a film that otherwise does so well at portraying sex work as valid, ethical, and empowering. That narrative choice slightly undermined the broader message, that sensual connection can be chosen with pride and professionalism, not merely as a consequence of hardship or past abuse.

What’s beautiful, though, is how Good Luck to You, Leo Grande has prompted real-world conversations. After seeing the film, when it was first released, several people have shared that they felt encouraged to reach out for sensual bodywork themselves, drawn by the same themes of trust, self-discovery, and mindful touch that the film so tenderly explores.

At its heart, Leo Grande isn’t just about sex. It’s about the courage to be vulnerable, the healing power of connection, and the rediscovery of pleasure at any stage of life. These are the same principles that guide the work we do here at Sensual Bodyworksm offering a compassionate space to explore intimacy, embodiment, and self-love.

If the film moved you, perhaps it’s time to take a similar journey, one guided not by shame or fear, but by curiosity, respect, and the gentle art of touch.

Other Films That Explore Sensuality, Healing, and Connection

While Good Luck to You, Leo Grande stands out for its honesty and intimacy, it’s part of a small but growing group of films that treat sensuality, aging, and emotional connection with the care and nuance they deserve. These stories remind us that physical touch and intimacy aren’t just about sex, they’re about being fully present in our bodies, finding self-acceptance, and reclaiming pleasure as something deeply human.

1. The Sessions (2012)

Based on a true story, The Sessions stars John Hawkes as a man living with polio who hires a professional sex surrogate, played by Helen Hunt, to help him experience intimacy for the first time. The film explores themes of vulnerability, consent, and healing through touch. Like sensual bodywork, it highlights how intimacy can be approached with compassion, communication, and care rather than performance or pressure.

2. An Unmarried Woman (1978)

This classic film follows Erica (Jill Clayburgh), a woman rediscovering her sensual and emotional independence after divorce. It’s not about sex work or bodywork per se, but it captures that same spirit of awakening, learning to trust your body and desires again after years of suppression.

3. Cloud 9 (2008)

A bold German drama about a woman in her sixties who begins an affair, Cloud 9 challenges taboos around aging and sexuality. Its frank portrayal of intimacy later in life echoes the message of Leo Grande: that desire doesn’t fade with age, it evolves, deepens, and sometimes, beautifully surprises us.

4. Touch Me Not (2018)

A more experimental film, Touch Me Not blurs the line between fiction and documentary, following real people exploring their relationship with intimacy, boundaries, and self-image. It’s raw and unconventional, but it beautifully illustrates how touch and presence can be pathways to healing and self-discovery, something that resonates deeply with those who seek sensual bodywork as part of their personal growth.

5. It’s Complicated (2009)

On a lighter note, Nancy Meyers’ romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin reminds us that playfulness, flirtation, and desire remain vital at any age. While comedic, it still contributes to the broader conversation about midlife sensuality and the importance of staying connected to pleasure.

Why These Stories Matter

All of these films, in their own ways, push back against the idea that intimacy must fit a narrow script. They open conversations about what it means to feel comfortable in our skin, to ask for what we need, and to heal through connection.

At Sensual Bodyworks, we see these same themes every day. Many clients come not just for physical touch, but for emotional reconnection, to feel seen, respected, and at ease in their bodies again. Cinema has a unique way of reflecting those longings back to us, giving permission to explore them in real life, gently and safely.

So if Good Luck to You, Leo Grande or any of these films stirred something in you, a curiosity, a memory, a quiet longing, consider that an invitation. Sensual bodywork can be a beautiful next step on your own journey of rediscovery.