Looks and Smiles

In this coming-of-age film, set against the backdrop of Thatcherism and the Irish Troubles, a young man named Mick navigates his uncertain future in Sheffield. With no clear prospects, Mick works on his motorbike, looks for jobs, and relies on government assistance. His friend Alan joins the army to fix tanks, but is sent to Belfast to quell Catholic unrest. At a disco, Mick meets Karen, a young woman who offers emotional stability and a path to adulthood. As Mick faces the possibility of a bleak future, he must choose between the stability Karen provides and the sense of purpose Alan finds in the army.