Review of The Look of Love (2013) by Nick R — 26 Apr 2013

An interesting subject that makes for a film that is probably darker than you may expect. There is some humour, but even with Steve Coogan in the lead, the tone is flat and black in parts. Apparently there is now a provision that in every Michael Winterbottom film he appears in, Coogan must attempt to impersonate other famous actors, here Sean Connery and Marlon Brando.

The picture painted here of London's Soho in the 1960s, 70's and '80s is very plausible, helped by filming on location. Sometimes it is hard to tell precisely the era being portrayed as the film jumps forwards and backwards, whereas Raymond's hairstyles and clothes are not always - shall we say - contemporary.

Steve Coogan is at the centre of this film and is quite measured in his performance. Some might say his accent is from the wrong end of the M62, but I suspect the real Raymond affected a standard English anyway.

Imogen Poots is excellent as Raymond's daughter Debbie. Chris Addison, barely visible beneath a beard and moustache is also good. Other British comic actors appear briefly, but fail to add much to proceedings.

The soundtrack is Bacharach laden, with some good music choices and nice to hear some Cilla for once on a film soundtrack. This film is a social documentary as well as a biopic, and ultimately suggests what the Beatles told us all those years ago - money can't buy you love.