Directed By – Wash Westmoreland
Starring – Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Denise Gough, Eleanor Tomlinson, Al Weaver, Ray Panthaki.
Running Time – 112 Minutes (1 Hour 52 Minutes)
★★★✩✩
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Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Colette, it wasn’t on my radar but I’m happy to say I’m glad I did go and see this beautiful movie.
After marrying the successful Parisian socialite Willy (West), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Knightley) is transported from her childhood home in a village in France to the busy, intellectual world of Paris. Willy convinces Colette to become his ghost writer in which she pens a semi-autobiography novel about a brazen county girl named Claudine.
The book becomes a bestseller and cultural sensation with Colette and Willy becoming the talk of Paris and their adventures become the inspiration for additional novels. As Colette fights for not only what’s right but begins a revolution in gender roles, sexuality and break societal constraints.
I generally believe Knightley has a superpower that makes her look exactly the same as she did in Love Actually, but also ages itself as we follower Colette’s journey.
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As I said above this film is beautiful. From not only the way director Westmoreland presented 1890/early 1900’s Paris, but all the beauty of the Colette possesses throughout the film.
While it is a love story there are some witty jokes to help get to know these characters and this helps when the dramatic stuff takes over. In some cases, you forget this is based on a true story it was filmed and written so well.
Knightley does a wonderful job as we follow her from being this fish out of water in the beginning to becoming more confident and stronger in herself standing for what’s right and who she loves.
This is Knightley’s best performance to date and deserves some recognition when it comes to awards season coming up.
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Meanwhile, West is a joy to watch while also playing a complete arsehole but he does bring in the fun and more of the funnier aspects. While as a character Willy is a double edge sword of demanding and jealousy yet is acceptance and gives Colette the freedom, which helps her become the woman she’ll become.
Elsewhere, there’s a small, but important role for Tomlinson which highlights she really needs to in more movies once Poldark is finished. However, I did think her character must’ve been knackered.
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Finally, when it comes to her relationship with Missy (Gough) you believe in there love and that Colette is happier with Missy than she was with Willy. What was also impressive and important is we weren’t beaten over the head about Missy’s transgender as it wasn’t an important thing.
Verdict
A beautifully directed beautiful love story in which Knightley gave the best performance to date.
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