The Look of Love (2013)

The life of Paul Raymond, the controversial entrepreneur who became Britain's richest man.

Director:

Michael Winterbottom

Writers:

Matt Greenhalgh, Paul Willetts (based on biographical material from "Members Only: The Life and Times of Paul Raymond")

Stars:

Steve Coogan, Matt Lucas, Anna Friel

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Ellis	...	Fawn
Steve Coogan	...	Paul Raymond
Nick Hopper	...	Charles the Chauffeur
Paul Popplewell	...	Journalist No. 1
Imogen Poots	...	Debbie Raymond
Anna Friel	...	Jean Raymond
Jim Clubb	...	Liam Turner
Sarah Lou	...	Liam Girl No. 1
Emma Williamson	...	Liam Girl No. 2
Stephen Fry	...	Barrister
Raymond Waring	...	Reporter No. 1
Kieran O'Brien	...	Jimmy Humphries
Shirley Henderson	...	Rusty Humphries
Frankie Thomson	...	Baby Debbie
Jennifer Gardiner	...	Revue Bar Cigarette Girl

Storyline

After the untimely death of his daughter, Paul Raymond reflects on his life. Rising from a mind-reading act, Raymond grew to have a fabulously successful career as an erotica magnate that would make him the richest man in Britain. However, for all his material success, Paul's appetites mess up his personal life, such as alienating his wife with his philandering. Furthermore, even as he challenged his society's sexual mores, Paul's relationship with his daughter proves troublingly problematic as she came of age. While trying to be the best father he could, Paul gradually comes to realize that his proclivities have impoverished him in ways that mere money cannot address.

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Plot Keywords:

topless | strip club | dancer | strip tease | bare bottom | 

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Taglines:

Lead us into temptation.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Film Four [United Kingdom] Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

A szenvedély királya

Filming Locations:

UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,105, 7 July 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$21,252, 1 August 2013

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,318,468, 17 August 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Films,Baby Cow Films,Film Four

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's working title, The King of Soho, had to be dropped after the threat of legal action by Paul Raymond's son, Howard, who was already developing a project of the same name about his father's life.

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Goofs

While discussing the role of a reporter for 'Men Only' magazine the Fiona Richmond character refers to female genitalia as "pussy". This term would not have been in use in the 1960s when the film is set. Later in the film the correct English term "fanny" is used.

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Connections

References Billy Liar (1963)

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Soundtracks

Anyone Who Had a Heart
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Dionne Warwick

User Reviews

Look for love

Another reviewer stated, that this is not as engaging as other Steve Coogan and Winterbottom collaborations. I won't comment on that, but try not to think in those categories if you can, because your movie viewing experience will suffer. You shouldn't compare previous works with the newer ones. In this case, Steve Coogan makes an otherwise not very likable character at least interesting. And that is sufficient enough to carry the movie through.

At least in my book. Steve Coogan had obviously fun playing this character and it is showing on the screen. Of course there are some usual clichés you get thrown at you, but it's almost impossible making a movie of this size, that is at least a bit commercial, without stepping into them. If you don't mind too much, you will get an entertaining enough movie to pass the time.

If the real "Paul Raymond" was half as charming as Steve Coogan in this, than you understand his charm. You also should be aware, that there is a lot of nudity (not really a big surprise considering the theme of the movie).