100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 113: The Look of Love

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 101 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton

Description: The life of Paul Raymond (Steve Coogan), the controversial entrepreneur who became Britain's richest man.

Review: “The Look of Love” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in januari 2013. It’s a visually good looking movie, a light biopic that is enjoyable even without knowing about Paul Raymond. The lightness of the film is both its strength and weakness. Raymond is portrayed by Steve Coogan, a role perfect for the comedian. The comedy part is solid, Coogan doesn’t disappoint. It’s the dramatic side of the film that doesn’t have enough depth. The sparkle of the first half is totally lost in the second half.

Imogen Poots, who plays Raymond’s daughter Debbie, isn’t experienced enough to give “The Look of Love” the balance between drama and comedy. And even Steve Coogan struggles more with the more dramatic scenes, while he sets the tone for the film very well.

“The Look of Love” reminds you of movies with a similar theme like “Boogie Nights”. Off course you can’t compare them, because “The Look of Love” isn’t anywhere near the success “Boogie Nights” had. A fun film, basically thanks to Steve Coogan, but not very memorable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5