The Look Of Love - A generous take on a slightly dark industry

`The Look of Love' tells the story of the first `porn baron' of London, Paul Raymond - arguably the richest man in England - especially the one who made his money in such an industry.

The first thing you need to know is that the casting of Steve Coogan is a sheer masterpiece. He's every bit believable as the sleazy, low-life kid from Liverpool who made his fortune in London 'Soho' district. It's his film and he carries it well. There are quite a few famous faces popping up here and there and they all play their parts well, too. However, I thought the best co-star was (The Thick of It-famed) Chris Addison, playing yet another slimebag to perfection.  Although Imogen Poots is also more than just a pretty face as Paul Raymond's daughter.  Her character is ultimately the one who shows Raymond's humanity (and double standards, as he refuses to allow her to pose nude for anything!).

If you're even vaguely offended by (female) nudity, or drug usage, then you probably shouldn't watch this. Both vices are frequently portrayed from the opening act to the end.  

Ultimately, the film charts the highs and the lows of Paul Raymond's career, although, if you investigate the man himself, you may feel that Coogan's portrayal of him and his industry is quite watered down. Sex, drugs and pornography are shown as the norm, rarely damaging anyone's life (other than a couple of the protagonists'). But that could be down to the film's running time being quite a condensed ninety minutes. Therefore, we're probably left to put two and two together to realise that such vices can sometimes carry far darker consequences.  I read another online review that said that this film is 'all facts' and no character development.  I'm not sure I agree with that.  I also looked up a brief online history of Paul Raymond and, from what I can see, 'The Look of Love' stuck quite closely to real life events.  I guess when a film is telling a life story where the characters don't do that much in the way of 'growing' then that's all it can do and I don't see this as a weak point.

If you're expecting `Alan Partridge' Coogan then you may be disappointed. 'The Look of Love' is not that funny, but then it's not really meant to be. It's a (generous) life story of a very interesting man who was certainly not a saint. If you're a fan of Coogan, or just curious to know what goes on behind those alluring neon lights in Soho then give this one a go.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that