Sep 28 2018

Colette

in the late 1800’s the wildly talented Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Kiera Knightley) would marry a successful Parisian writer known as “Willy” (Dominic West). But as it would turn out, the success that Willy was met with would come from a host of “staff” writers publishing under his name, a model that worked well until the egomaniac lifestyle would tap out the family finances. As a result and in an effort to help, Colette would begin to ghostwrite, quite successfully, for Willy as well. But with raving success would come more headaches, a struggle of artistic ownership, finances, and sexual expression. This is her story. Directed by Wash Westmoreland and written by Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer, and Rebecca Lenkiwicz, this biopic romp does little to break the format or narrative structure we’ve seen time and time again in historical non-fiction; but, no matter, more impressive is the magnifying glass perspective on an early luminary for change, women’s rights, and challenger of societal norms far beyond her time. Strong performances from the ensemble further work in concert to solidify another film of quality as the 2018 awards season continues its warm up. With arthouse pedigree and sensibilities in its DNA, further thumbs up for art direction and period music throughout make Colette’s educational watch easy just the same. Colette is rated R.