Colette

I didn't know anything about Colette's life, in fact I never thought she really existed until the ending credits, but still the film almost never caught me unawares. Which is a shame. This is partly due to the unfortunate trailer, which basically summed up its plot (I guess it doesn't matter to people who know Colette), and partly due to its standard biopic script – good, but standard. It made me think of Florence Foster Jenkins, which I also enjoyed, although it was the same sort of biographical routine. But regardless, Colette is more than a good film, superbly acted by both Keira Knightley and Dominic West, with a believably rendered and appealing atmosphere of turn-of-the-century Paris, and a gorgeous set in general. I must especially highlight the beauty of Thomas Adès's score – although this is his first soundtrack, Adès is an accomplished composer, pianist and conductor, in short one of the most distinctive figures on the contemporary – not just British – music scene. And you can tell. (2019.06.21)

Although the film wasn’t a disaster, I expected much more of the theme and especially of the Paris setting. The pace of the story was quite lazy, Keira Knightley gave an excellent performance as usual, but the script didn't really develop the story or the title character. The only major takeaway for me was that I learned about an author I had never heard of until today. (2019.08.09)

Colette is problematic for several reasons. The story is once again only about her youth, so we only meet Colette before Colette (unfortunately this is a growing trend that I don't support), it's also a bit boring to think that in our generation there is only Keira Knightley, who has to play all the interesting female characters of the past (fortunately she has strengthened her anorexic body and now she is at least sinewy, even if she is still not healthy looking)... And I'm very sorry to say that although the phenomenon of Claudine, the books, their origins, the subsequent fashion wave, and the theatrical adaptation are very richly analyzed, the films are mentioned in only one dialogue. Those are my criticisms. I could describe the rest in superlatives. There are great costumes, great set design, several performances by the supporting cast, a wonderful insight into the world of awakening femininity, several fetishes, and gradually increasing sapphism. It’s a great topic. I hope the film helps to bring Colette back into the book market and new adaptations of her works. (2019.03.06)

A battle between pettiness and vanity against inspiration and enthusiasm. And yet I don't know whether I should understand the movie as a reflection of base human motives or just as a reminder that a particular brave lady once lived and wrote. The creative and personal storylines do not complement each other; sadly, they only clash. Keira Knightley may not always be fully utilized in her costume fetishes, but this year, for the first time, she is unnecessary. (2019.02.18)