Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, know to the world simply as “Colette”, was a writer with an incredible output, acclaimed by readers and critics alike, even being nominated for the Nobel in 1948. In the English-speaking world she is perhaps best known for Gigi, which was made into a musical in the 40s and famously starred Leslie Caron in the film-role.
What is little known about Colette is her interesting early career, and this is the subject matter of Wash Westmoreland’s feature. The young Colette, growing up in rural Burgundy, eventually marries Henry Gauthiers-Villars, a writer and literary entrepreneur, working under the pseudonym “Willy”. He introduces her to the fin-de-siecle world of the Paris salons and soon has her writing for him as part of his “factory”.
Kiera Knightley is exquisite as the young Colette, giving us just the right balance of country ingénue and sassy independent woman (the same charming combination that attracted Henry in the first place). As Henry, Dominic West puts in one of his best performances to date, giving us a Henry who is a portly, self-absorbed libertine, but also a charismatic and likeable man. Playing Colette’s long-time lover, the scandalously androgynous Missy, is the always extraordinary Denise Gough. And Eleanor Tomlinson is divine as Georgie, Willy and Colette’s third in a “menage”.
The screenplay by Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer and Rebecca Lekiewicz is tight, lyrical and pitch-perfect, other than the occasional slightly clanging piece of slang which doesn’t translate from 1903 French to 2018 English. Giles Nuttgens’s cinematography combines with Michael Carlin’s production design to give us a lush but still gritty portrait. The urge to over-decorate or prettify is suppressed and the production is all the better for it, whilst remaining a visual treat.
Colette gives us a portrait of early 20th Parisian intelligentsia; of the life of the intellectual woman at that time; and of one unique and feisty woman. It is a rollicking, satisfying, fascinating, constantly surprising cinematic journey.
Colette is currently playing as part of the MINI British Film Festival 2018, which runs until 14th November at Palace Nova Eastend and Prospect.
Click here for further details and screening times.
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