The Look Of Love (2013)

Rating: 4.5/5

"My name is Paul Raymond - Welcome to my world of erotica!" I can think of no actor more suited to speak the opening words of Michael Winterbottom's wonderful new biopic The Look Of Love than Steve Coogan. His suave, stuffy way of speaking and moving and this time more subtle approach to comedic elements make his portrayal of the King of Soho one of his best performances to date.

Starting back in the '50s, Paul Raymond is an audacious and open-minded entrepreneur who is quickly making his name in burlesque shows, with his wife Jean (Anna Friel) at first starring in the shows, then managing the choreography as their performances expand. Their relationship seems to be...open; to Paul, at least. But one day a pretty young dancer Amber (Tamsin Egerton) struts in to audition, and walks out with the boss on her arm.

By the time he leaves his wife, he has several children, but only one he pays any kind of continued attention to: his daughter Debbie. She is due to be the young starlet businesswoman who inherits her father's mind-boggling estate, and after Debbie is kicked out of her boarding school for smoking marijuana, they become an inseparable duo. He is certainly a supportive and devoted father, but the kinds of things he is willing to teach Debbie lead to the most devastating consequences.

Debbie is very much a leading character, with The Look Of Love focusing greatly on Raymond's relationship with his troubled daughter. The lovely young Imogen Poots, who also recently appeared in the wonderful A Late Quartet, takes on this emotional role, and plays it with truth and vibrancy. Of course, this story is based on real people and real events, and there is a good deal of truth to a lot of it, mostly shocking stuff. For example, before her tragic death by heroin overdose, Debbie Raymond told of how her father gave her a line of cocaine as pain relief during childbirth.

Twisted as it sounds, there is no doubt either in this picture or in real life, that Paul Raymond loved his daughter madly. There were reports that after her death, he became a recluse who drove himself mad with guilt and remorse. And this movie is a moving and saddening portrayal of this relationship.

It is also very funny. There are cameos and appearances from a variety of British talent, such as comedian Chris Addison as the incorrigible Tony Power, David Walliams in a very entertaining vicar role, and Friel brings much flare to her portrayal of Jean Raymond. There are also short contributions from Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas, Dara O'Briain and Miles Jupp: it's almost like a Dave reunion.

The Look Of Love is full of sex, drugs and emotional torment, but is entertaining, brilliantly acted, brightly decorated, and full of good humour. Even Debbie's insane pain relief scene drew chuckles of bewilderment and incomprehension over what we had just witnessed. The humour is intricately woven into the essence of the film, resulting in this comedic undertaste throughout. Thoroughly entertaining.