Looks and Smiles
Synopsis
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 mum. She offers emotional stability and a route to adulthood while Alan pitches the army. What will become of Mick?
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →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
Arthur Davies
Eric Lodge
Deirdre Costello
Jenny
Jackie Shinn
Gatekeeper
Rita May
Receptionist
Stuart Golland
Mr. Wright
Release History & Theatrical Window
Toronto International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ken Loach
- Screenplay & Story
- Barry Hines
- Original Score
- Marc Wilkinson
- Original Title
- Looks and Smiles
- Country of Origin
- France, United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Production Studios
- British Lion Films, mk2 Films, Kestrel Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ken Loach
Barry Hines
Marc Wilkinson
Chris Menges
Steve Singleton
Irving Teitelbaum
Department Leadership Roster
Ken Loach
Director
Steve Singleton
Editor
Chris Menges
Director of Photography
Irving Teitelbaum
Producer
Marc Wilkinson
Original Music Composer
Gwenda Evans
Costume Design
Barry Hines
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Looks and Smiles.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Looks and Smiles.
500 best 81's movies
Ken Loach
MovieLens[50K:]
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Frequently Asked Questions About Looks and Smiles
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
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 mum. She offers emotional stability and a route to adulthood while Alan pitches the army. What will become of Mick?
Who directed Looks and Smiles?
Looks and Smiles was directed by Ken Loach.
Who stars in Looks and Smiles?
The principal cast of Looks and Smiles includes Graham Green, Carolyn Nicholson, Tony Pitts, Roy Haywood, Phil Askham.
When was Looks and Smiles released and how long is it?
Looks and Smiles was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 1h 44m.
Who composed the musical score for Looks and Smiles?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Looks and Smiles was composed by Marc Wilkinson.
Is Looks and Smiles based on a book or true story?
Looks and Smiles is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Barry Hines".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Looks and Smiles?
Looks and Smiles holds official age classifications: DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.).