Review of The Look of Love (2013) by Stuart K — 27 Apr 2014
Director Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan reunited for the 4th time after 24 Hour Party People (2002), A Cock and Bull Story (2005) and the TV series The Trip (2010). This time, they took on the life story of one of Britain's most successful businessmen, this is a rags to riches story with the ending from a Shakespeare tragedy, that of a man who paid the price for the fortune he amassed.
Paul Raymond (Coogan), was born Geoffrey Quinn in Liverpool, but changed his name when he went into showbusiness. By the late 1950's, he'd become an impresario, known for naughty shows with nude women in them.
But a change in the censorship laws in the 1960's meant that Raymond could push the envelope with what he could do in the show. But Raymond is a naughty boy, and he has a relationship with actress Amber St.
George (Tamsin Egerton), which ends his marriage to Jean (Anna Friel), but Raymond still plans to leave his empire to his daughter Debbie (Imogen Poots), but she becomes heavily addicted to drugs and drink.
It's a dark biopic with the frequent flash of comedy to keep the spirits up, and Coogan relishes in the part of Raymond, showing a troubled figure but a man who was never out of the spotlight. The film has a massive supporting cast of British actors and actresses, and they help to enhance the story of this great man.
This review of The Look of Love (2013) was written by Stuart K on 27 Apr 2014.
The Look of Love has generally received mixed reviews.
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