Marking the fourth collaboration between director Michael Winterbottom and actor Steve Coogan, “The Look of Love” is based on the true story of porn baron Paul Raymond. Raymond amassed over $1 billion through purchasing prime real estate in London’s Soho, becoming Britain’s richest man and earning the title “The King of Soho.” Anna Friel plays his wife Jean, who posed for some of Raymond’s porno shoots and ultimately received a record divorce-settlement. Their daughter is played by charming and soon-to-be everywhere Imogen Poots. You can peak in at the couple’s relationship in the clip below.
Premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, our critic was not that impressed with “The Look of Love,” writing, “These vapid characters aren’t people we want to root for, let alone spend much time with.” Although in the film’s defense, Coogan has done an amazing job with vapid characters in other Winterbottom films — a TV presenter turned club owner/music promoter in “24 Hour Party People,” Tristam Shandy and an egotistical parody of Coogan in “A Cock and Bull Story,” and the same parody of himself again in “The Trip” — along with his iconic character of Alan Partridge, who is getting the film treatment this summer. Whether you’re a Coogan fan or not, “The Look of Love” promises to be a unique look into the seedy side of swinging London.
“The Look of Love” opens in the U.K. on April 23rd and will come to the U.S. via IFC Films later this year. Watch below. [DigitalSpy]