The Frock Flicks team is taking a little time off for a summer break, so we’re repeating some favorite posts from the archives.
Colette stars Keira Knightley as the famous French author of the Claudine novels, Chéri, and Gigi, among others. She was born Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954), married author/publisher Henry Gauthier-Villars who went by the pen name “Willy,” started writing under his name, then struck out on her own. The film goes from Colette at age 20 (1893) about to marry Willy, through their separation in 1906, and until their divorce in 1910.
Colette (2018)
Try as she might, Keira can’t conjure up SGC. And West is too cute and skinny for Willy; portly was OK for guys back then. But, oh, gawd, the costumes. Exquisite, spot on. They were the real stars.
Kiera is shown holding the skirt of the black embroidered white gown exactly right; gathered to the side, hem only slightly raised, fullness controlled. Brava!
Nice point. One could add to the F.F. list of Costume-Film Sins (side parts, beachy hair, mens’ boots indoors, skirts hiked up in both hands, etc.) actors carrying themselves in the manner of their own era. I remember watching Helena BC in “Room with a View” and doubting that a female teenager stomped around that way in 1908. “Downton Abbey” and the 1995 “P & P” are pretty good in this regard.