Looks and Smiles (1981)
Thatcherism and the Irish troubles provide the backdrop for this study of Mick, a well-meaning youth in Sheffield, who has, unlike Dickens' Pip, no expectations. Mick lives with his parents, works on his motorbike, looks for work, and every two weeks gets his check from the dole. There are no jobs. His best mate Alan joins the army to fix tanks and is sent to Belfast to quell Catholics. At a disco, Mick meets Karen, who works at a shoe shop and lives with her recently-separated mom. Karen misses her dad. She offers Mick emotional stability and a route to adulthood; Alan pitches the army. Does Mick have a future?
Director: Ken Loach
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 104 min
Release Date: September 9, 1981
Cast
- Graham Green - Michael 'Mick' Walsh
- Carolyn Nicholson - Karen Lodge
- Tony Pitts - Alan Wright
- Roy Haywood - Phil
- Phil Askham - Mr Walsh
- Pam Darrell - Mrs Walsh
- Tracey Goodlad - Julie
- Patti Nicholls - Mrs Wright
- Cilla Mason - Mrs Lodge
- Les Hickin - George
Screenplay
- Barry Hines
- Barry Hines (Novel)
Music: Marc Wilkinson
Cinematography: Chris Menges
Editing: Steve Singleton
Production: British Lion Films, MK2 Films, Kestrel Films
Country: France, United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Ken Loach
More Films in Genre: Drama
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Looks and Smiles about?
- Thatcherism and the Irish troubles provide the backdrop for this study of Mick, a well-meaning youth in Sheffield, who has, unlike Dickens' Pip, no expectations. Mick lives with his parents, works on his motorbike, looks for work, and every two weeks gets his check from the dole. There are no jobs. His best mate Alan joins the army to fix tanks and is sent to Belfast to quell Catholics. At a disco, Mick meets Karen, who works at a shoe shop and lives with her recently-separated mom. Karen misses her dad. She offers Mick emotional stability and a route to adulthood; Alan pitches the army. Does Mick have a future?
- Who directed Looks and Smiles?
- Looks and Smiles was directed by Ken Loach.
- Who stars in Looks and Smiles?
- Looks and Smiles stars Graham Green, Carolyn Nicholson, Tony Pitts, Roy Haywood, Phil Askham, Pam Darrell.
- How long is Looks and Smiles?
- Looks and Smiles has a runtime of 1h 44m (104 minutes).
- What genre is Looks and Smiles?
- Looks and Smiles is a Drama film.
- Where was Looks and Smiles produced?
- Looks and Smiles was produced in France, United Kingdom.