Nancy Stokes, a retired British school teacher, is yearning for some adventure, and some sex. Hiring an escort named Leo Grande to rid her of her sexual repression, Nancy gets out of her comfort zone and into bed with the younger man. This sex-positive dramedy stars two-time Academy Award-winner Emma Thompson (Love, Actually) as a neurotic woman embarking on a post-marital sexual awakening with the help of charismatic sex worker Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack, Peaky Blinders). It’s delicious to observe these two polar opposites forging a genuine connection in such unlikely circumstances as they build a surprising, sizzling rapport over a series of hotel room dates. This is the third feature from Australian director Sophie Hyde (52 Tuesdays, Animals), and one that propels her into the mainstream. It’s a light and entertaining watch, but beneath the charm and candor, there is much more to it than meets the eye. Brilliantly scripted by comedy writer Katy Brand, the film tackles the taboo topic of female desire with a disarming honesty and levity. --Lucy Mukerjee

Sophie Hyde