Looks and Smiles (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1981, Looks and Smiles is a drama film directed by Ken Loach, running about 104 minutes.
What it’s 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’s in it. Looks and Smiles stars Graham Green as Michael 'Mick' Walsh, Carolyn Nicholson as Karen Lodge, Tony Pitts as Alan Wright and Roy Haywood as Phil, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Looks and Smiles has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Looks and Smiles page.
If you liked it. Fans of Looks and Smiles tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Looks and Smiles (1981)?
- In US, Looks and Smiles is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Looks and Smiles worth watching?
- Looks and Smiles holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Looks and Smiles?
- Looks and Smiles stars Graham Green, Carolyn Nicholson, Tony Pitts, Roy Haywood and Phil Askham.
- When was Looks and Smiles released?
- Looks and Smiles was released in 1981, with a runtime of about 104 minutes.