Susan Granger’s review of “Colette” (Bleecker Street)
At the end of the 19th century, the French novelist known as Colette was a literary sensation who scandalized Belle Epoque Paris by having affairs with both men and women – and writing about them.
But that came later, much later.
Her story begins in 1892, when impish Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) was 19, living in the Burgundy countryside with her parents (Fiona Shaw, Robert Pugh). When she’s courted by witty Henry Gauthier-Villars (Dominic West) – a.k.a. the prolific writer Willy – the marriage is considered a coup since her family cannot provide her with a proper dowry.
Arriving in Parisian society as Willy’s wife, Colette discovers that he’s just the front-man for the Willy brand, shamelessly employing several ghost-writers to churn out books under his pen name. In addition, he’s a gambler, a spendthrift, and an unapologetic roué.
One day, when Willy needs fresh material, he locks Colette in a room, demanding that she chronicle a roman a clef about a teenage lesbian romance. (Somewhat disconcertingly, she speaks in English but writes in French.)
While pliant Colette functions as chauvinistic Willy’s literary slave, her social life flourishes, particularly after she openly flirts with Georgie Raoul-Duval (Eleanor Tomlinson), a mischievous Louisiana heiress who simultaneously embarks on a liaison with Willy.
When Colette becomes aware of their duplicity, she manages a tart rebuke to both betrayers. But that frees her to become Claudine, a tabloid sensation, and pursue a brazenly erotic relationship with the cross-dressing Marquise de Belbeuf (Denise Gough), known as Missy.
Directed by Wash Westmoreland, who co-write the script with his late partner Richard Glatzer and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, its plot is eerily similar to Glenn Close’s “The Wife.”
Having performed in many costume dramas (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Duchess,” “Anna Karenina,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Keira Knightley has become devilishly accustomed to genteel bodice-ripping, and it’s fun to spot Elinor Tomlinson, the flame-haired heroine of PBS’ “Poldark.”
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Colette” is a sensuously subversive 7, chronicling the rebellious author of more than 80 books, including “Gigi” and “Cheri.”
