Looks and Smiles 43 years old

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?

Credits

Looks and Smiles Cast

Name Character
Phil Askham as Mr Walsh
Roy Haywood as Phil
Deirdre Costello as Jenny
Rita May as Receptionist

Looks and Smiles Crew

Name Department
Ken Loach as Director. He was 45 (now 88) years old Directing
Barry Hines as Writer. He was 42 (now 85) years old Writing
Looks and Smiles poster
Looks and Smiles (43 years)

  • Release day: Saturday, September 12, 1981
  • Runtime: 104 minutes