Bel Ami

[prettyxcool]

Saw this tonight, thanks to valda, for another lovely evening. Nearly missed it, as practically had to race to City Hall on the other side of town, and back again within half an hour, then getting totally lost in the Barbican, so totally missed the director's interview and arrived just as the film was starting.

Luckily it was an enjoyable film, actresses really great. Always lovely to see Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, and Kristin Scott Thomas, But what is it with RP? What is wrong with his lips, some times so blood red, and his face so pasty, and what is it with his twisted grin? Has he forgotten what set he is on? But he does have a strong presence. I love the Parisian set, the boudoirs, the stunning dresses. It is a great period romp, and has some funny moments. 8/10.

[Celini]

I'd say what was wrong with Uma's accent... and the Patz' face?

[prettyxcool]

Yes, wasn't sure if she was supposed to be British or French, but I actually got to like it!

[ejwrank]

We saw this on Tuesday at the Soho Hotel. Husband was surprised to be the only male in the audience! We all agreed it was dreadful. We found the acting so dull and wooden and Pattinson was totally wrong.The three lead actresses who should have saved the film were equally poor. It was awkward when we left as the lady hosting the competition asked if we'd enjoyed it. I mumbled something about it being very nice to look at and she laughed when I couldn't come up with anything else.

[funthing29]

This was pretty poor. None of the characters were interesting, the pace was too slow and the film felt far too long. Pattinson was totally miscast here. He really doesn't have any acting range, does he? I was cringing when he was trying to act betrayed and manipulative as he just couldn't pull it off. The rest of the acting was nothing to write home about. 4/10.

And since when does an 'introduction from the directors' mean a Q&A with a weak host?

[raj101]

actually Pattinson looks a cracking villain in the trailer, this could be his best role yet where he gets to prove his acting credentials.

nah, he over-acts in places, and he filmed it well over 2 years ago. he'll prove himself in Cosmopolis later this year - a Cronenberg film, so with that i have no doubt.

Can't wait until Wednesday though I'm going to a screening with the Directors Present. (thanks to Octopus for telling me about it!)

seems you were right. trailers lie!

[valda]

I've never been to the Barbican before so I was totally lost after I got off the slowest tube in the world. Thank God I don't have to use The Circle Line everyday.

So I got there the same time as Funthing and Celine, sadly we weren't sitting together. I was in the front row which was quite nice actually. I really liked the Directors, they seemed very jolly and I think I may go and see their production of 'Tis A Ptiy She's a Whore which is also at the Barbican.
PCX after all her running around made it just as the film began.

On a positive note, it looked lovely and seemed to capture the right period feel, all sumptuas dresses and top hats and tails. The women were ok, considering its not the sort of thing they do and it was good to see Phil Glennister and James Lance in the cast.

now for the bad. it was very slow, I couldn't get over how much it dragged and dragged and nothing really was happening [spoiler]in th ebook he's supposed to be one of the most powerful men in France, but nothing in the film leads you to believe this[/spoiler]

Pattinson himself was so wrongly cast, and was the main reason this dragged on so much. He didn't have the charisma to carry off this role of a beautiful corrupt man. He was all white and pasty with strange red lips and greasy hair. When trying to emote he just came across as petulant and sulky. What was the strange thing he does with his mouth? sort of like grinding his teeth.Very odd. I could have seen Aiden Turner doing this justice

6/10

[aruif]

I'm not so sure why people are saying rp was wrongly cast - i get a feeling this is coming only from people who have only seen him in twilight and not his other films? quite frankly, and yes i'm a fab, but still, he did a good job of coming across as a vile egotistical character. Rather than swooning at him I really disliked him - to me that means he must have done a good job. - you also can't blame him for what his directors decided to do with his makeup. what's with the red eyes? too much sex not enough sleep? I also wondered why he was the only one not to have a tash or beard!

there are several scenes in this that get right on my nerves. some are too long, some unnecessary. Equally though there are some that really make me giggle (game of tag, how cute is that little girl chasing him around?). Thoroughly enjoyed the screaming and shouting at vergine (if that's not emotional range i clearly don't know a thing about acting, i did go to drama school so that was a waste of money then).

the music - now i get that he needed a theme but JESUS H CHRIST. 5 times within the first fifteen minutes? ANNOYING!!! it goes ON and ON and oooonnnn!

I've seen the film 5 times now and every time the good is stronger, but equally, so is the bad. You can tell that the directors are used to directing theater and not film, lots of unnecessary close ups, badly lit scenes, badly positioned scenes with the backs of peoples heads.

i know this isn't sounding like a great review. it is and it isn't. i really do enjoy this film despite the bad things. I also think the leading ladies are great "i thought i could teach you, but what i should have done is train you" - great line!

I'm just not sure that the actual story itself warrented having a film made about it. I've got the book ready to read (should have read it before but didn't). It will be interesting to see if I have any feelings for the characters when reading. I did start to feel sorry for George and Clotield, they loved each other but couldn't be together really, quite sad. But then he went and married again almost losing my sympathy all over again.

[rosane]

The movie doesn’t show the social climate of the time. In order to empathise and understand Georges Duroy and all the characters a little more depth would have been good.
Georges Duroy is lost in the new environment he finds himself in. He is empty and a little thick. All he has in his favour is his looks which he takes full advantage of. Robert Pattinson delivers Georges Duroy quite convincingly his part. It is certainly a difficult to show emptiness, I believe. Cristina Ricci is excellent on her role as well as Kirstin Scott Thomas.
It is a visually a nice movie. Good entertainment!

[valda]

FOr me, I felt he looked and acted like a petulant child, not a scheming ruthless man. I remember seeing Dangerous Liaisons and Valmot ( same story) and really got the feeling that John Malcovitch and Colin First (both playing Valmont) were calculating despicable men. I wonder how old George was supposed to be at the beginning and the end?