In 1980s Paris George Duroy, a charming young man, is left on the bread line after his return from serving in the French Army in Algeria. Hungry for power and wealth he manages to climb the social ladder through the bedrooms of high society.
A brilliant story tackling political and gender issues in the Belle Époque Paris, based on the book by Guy de Maupassant, told in a bland and tedious way. The plot is flat and even tiring with uncontrollable jumps as Duroy moves from one woman to another and then back again. Dialogue is superficial and weak with only a couple of peaking moments cut short. Sadly there also seems to be poor chemistry between the cast and dialogue often just comes across as lines failing to draw audiences into the story.
A clearly improved Robert Pattinson, despite his descent effort to add depth and complexity to his character, unfortunately fails to persuade as a focused, ruthless man capable of seducing powerful society women. Even though he seemed to have shaken off the look of eternal pain of his face, leftovers of past characters are obvious throughout his performance. Signs of promise are apparent in his acting that remain alas just a promise.
The three women, stepping stones to Duroy’s ambitions, are adequately portrayed by Uma Therman as Madeleine, Christina Ricci as Clodilte and Kristin Scott Thomas as Virginie. Therman, who physically resembles a Parisian woman of the time holds a respectable poise of an intelligent woman in a man’s world. Kristin Scott Thomas also convinces as an older virtuous high society woman secretly desiring the attention of a man. Finally, Christina Ricci, doubtfully suitable to portray an 1890’s Parisian woman of high society, still manages to deliver an acceptable performance as a lonely wife whose husband is often away.
However the inevitable yawning now and then, screen directing first-timers Donellan and Ormerod have done a remarkable job capturing the atmosphere of the period, juggling with lighting and color and delivering a juxtaposition of light and darkness, luxury and poverty. Cinematography, sets and costumes were ideally in place and worked acutely in favor for the film’s quality.
Overall, Bel Ami is an okay period drama that without the Hollywood names involved would most probably be released straight to DVD.
Score: 5/10
