Sundance - The Look of Love - 2 1/2 stars

From sundance.org:  "Welcome to the scandalous world of Paul Raymond, entrepreneur, impresario, and the “king of Soho.” Seeing mediocrity in the smutty sex parlors of London, Raymond unveils his first “gentlemen’s club” in 1958 and gradually builds an empire of clubs and erotic magazines that brings him vast wealth while affronting British sexual mores. It also brings a litany of obscenity charges, a failed marriage, troubled children, and personal tragedy."

Steve Coogan plays Paul Raymond.  He is Britain's answer to Hugh Hefner.  This is a different kind of performance from Coogan.  While he does have some funny moments, it's definitely a dramatic role.  This movie should have been a lot better.  The movie traces his life from stage performer to director of nude stage shows to men's magazine publisher.  By the end of the movie he will be the richest man in Britain.

Watching the movie I felt like there were scenes missing.  I felt like we were getting the cliffs notes version of the story.  It moved by so fast that I had a hard time getting emotionally involved.  It got better as it went along, but I would have liked some longer scenes and more dialogue to give us an idea of what he was thinking and feeling as he started his businesses.  

One thing that confused me was his wife.  At first, it seems like she knows he's sleeping with his models and she is ok with it.  Then abruptly she starts freaking out over his relationship with a new girl.  

The story line that works best in the movie is when Raymond develops a business relationship with his adult daughter.  He is grooming her to take over the company, and he is also condoning her drug use.  His advice to her is don't buy drugs on the street, because you don't know if it's any good.  Make sure you buy the good stuff.

I was surprised that the movie bored me as much as it did.  It just wasn't structured very well.  Lots of nudity though.