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First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Michael Winterbottom has a new film out, which means you go and see it even if it's just to discover what he's done this time. It's a biopic on British entrepreneur Paul Raymond, who became the richest man in the country with his property dealings and perhaps more interestingly, through his clubs and peddling softcore porn magazines.
Winterbottom regular Steve Coogan is in fine form and Imogen Poots, who plays his daughter, is on equal footing. The film focuses mainly on their relationship and it's an interesting dynamic. Anna Friel also stands out as his first wife.
The film spans a few decades and as the narrative shifts, so to does the style of filmmaking. Black and white for the 50's, and pop colour for the 60's and 70's. Although in a refreshing change they don't bother to load on excessive film grain filters so the image looks great and the sense of time and place is still conveyed through the costumes and production design, as well as the great pop montages and swinging soundtrack.
A very enjoyable watch, it has the usual rise and fall biopic arc but the the script and the actors really make the drama play and Winterbottom captures it in veritē style.
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