Yves Saint Laurent was, and still is one of the most influential names in Fashion history.
Being to women’s fashion what Steve Jobs was to computing, it was only a matter of time before Saint Laurent was honoured with his own biographical film. In fact, in 2014 alone two separate French bio-flicks were released about the life of the famous designer, the other being Yves Saint Laurent by Jalil Lespert. Easy to get the two confused, I know.
The film screening as part of this year’s French Film Festival is the beautifully shot but lacklustre Saint Laurent by Bertrand Bonello. Starring the sultry Gaspard Ulliel as Saint Laurent, this bio-flick is both a celebration of the glorious late sixties/seventies French fashion world and an insight into the horrifying excess that came with it.
The film itself is a decadent work, like one of those gourmet chocolates that are beautiful to admire from afar but far too sickly and rich to enjoy much of. It is full of great shots and intricately constructed scenes, such as those where Saint Laurent paces around a seemingly impossible, empty room (before panning over to reveal it is the set of a photo shoot) or through red-lit rows of shining mannequins and disembodied torsos. Some dark, dream-like sequences also highlight the skill with which this film is both shot and edited.
The costumes of Saint Laurent (as you’d expect from a film about one of the fashion industries biggest players) are top-notch. They take us on a journey back through time and across the seas to Seventies France. I’m sure any fashion lover would love this film simply for this ride through the history of clothing.
Despite the great costuming and classy cinematography of Saint Laurent, I must confess I was hardly taken with the story. At a whopping two and half hours, I doubt that many are going to be sitting through the length of this film, deeply engrossed for the whole time. There’s just way too much “empty space”; too many long scenes of tense silence, slow footsteps and dramatic stares.
The film seems to wander over-indulgently into nitty-gritty details that probably don’t need to be seen. It’s all too easy to drift off until the bewitching and colourful fashions arrive back on screen.
In addition, apart from the liberal sprinkling of classical pieces throughout the movie, I wouldn’t rave about the soundtrack either. With not much else to offer but a weak and tinny electronic backing track that doesn’t seem to fit some of the scenes, I would have been tempted to just leave them silent and contemplative instead.
While it never exactly gripped me (apart from a scene involving snakes) I will admit that Saint Laurent features some finely tuned acting and intriguing romantic tension. Just be prepared to dedicate quite a lot of time to it!
Saint Laurent screens on 12 and 17 March 2015 as part of the Alliance Française Film Festival.
Reviewed by James Rudd
Twitter: @james_wrr
Rating out of 10: 4
The Alliance Française French Film Festival runs from 5 – 24 March 2015 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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