Looks and Smiles
6.7
104 minutes
9/9/1981
Overview
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?
Cast List
Graham Green
as Michael 'Mick' Walsh
Carolyn Nicholson
as Karen Lodge
Tony Pitts
as Alan Wright
Roy Haywood
as Phil
Phil Askham
as Mr Walsh
Pam Darrell
as Mrs Walsh
Tracey Goodlad
as Julie
Patti Nicholls
as Mrs Wright
Cilla Mason
as Mrs Lodge
Les Hickin
as George
Arthur Davies
as Eric Lodge
Deirdre Costello
as Jenny
Jackie Shinn
as Gatekeeper
Rita May
as Receptionist
Stuart Golland
as Mr. Wright