There are some definite problems with the Merchant/Ivory film Jefferson in Paris (1995). The story doesn’t quite come together, the filmmakers don’t seem to know which story they’re telling, and the depiction of slavery tries so hard but doesn’t quite get there. However, it’s a well-made, interesting film with some great performances… and it’s HANDS DOWN the best depiction of 1780s French costume I’ve ever seen on screen. I’ve been trying to get to reviewing some of The Frock Flicks Classics that we’ve put off because they’re so good that they require a really in-depth review. I finally tackled A Room With a View, now let’s really Do This on Jefferson in Paris.
Because I have LITERALLY a million screencaps to discuss, I’m not even going to get into a review of the film — for that, check out my short review. Know that the film has great performances by Greta Scacchi, Simon Callow as the foppiest of fops, and Thandie Newton.
Instead, let’s get right to the costumes, which were designed by Merchant/Ivory stalwarts Jenny Beavan and John Bright. Strap in, this is going to be LONG, because when you’re screencapping the COOK, you know things are going well…
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