United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom, Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh)
The true story of British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. A modern day King Midas story, Raymond became one of the richest men in Britain at the cost of losing those closest to him. Cast: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton.
IFC Films has closed a deal for North American rights to Michael Winterbottom‘s The Look of Love, according to sources.
The film stars longtime Winterbottom collaborator Steve Coogan (The Trip, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story) in his first dramatic role as British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. As a modern-day King Midas, Raymond became the richest man in Britain but lost everyone closest to him. The film co-stars Anna Friel, Imogen Poots and Tamsin Egerton.
The Look of Love bowed at Eccles Theatre on Jan. 19 as part of Sundance’s Premieres category. THR critic David Rooney called the film uneven but said it is “absorbing on a scene-by-scene basis.”
“It’s incredible news that IFC Films is going to be releasing The Look of Love in the U.S.” Winterbottom said in a statement to THR. “We’ve developed an incredible working relationship over the years, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic to have this film in their hands.”
Indeed, Winterbottom has a long history with IFC. The AMC Networks-owned distributor has released several of his films, including his 2010 drama The Killer Inside Me, which bowed to much fanfare at Sundance.
“Michael Winterbottom has consistently impressed us with his remarkable body of work,” said Jonathan Sehring, president of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, in a statement to THR. “For our fifth collaboration with him, he’s given Steve Coogan a brilliant showcase for his talents and matched him with the equally impressive Imogen Poots, Anna Friel and Tamsin Egerton. Look of Love is a beautifully executed film that we are incredibly proud to bring to audiences later this year. We’re thrilled to be back in business with Michael, our friends at Studiocanal and Revolution Films.”
Melissa Parmenter produced the film, which has a screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh. Executive producers are Andrew Eaton, Jenny Borgars, Katherine Butler, Norman Merry, Danny Perkins and Piers Wenger.
Studiocanal handled the deal for the filmmakers (UTA also consulted).
Email: Tatiana.Siegel@thr.com, Daniel.Miller@thr.com
