For old time's sake.
Nothing to tortuous this week....just the normal torture of being Robsessed.
With this awesome news hitting the interwebs today, how can any of us not be smiling? We've celebrated with our friends across the pond as Bel Ami fever took them down, now we know it's finally time for the US to catch the fever we all want - well, in 53 days it is anyway (come on, you know you're counting them down too).
But while you're sat there smiling... do you want to smile some more? I know a man who can make that happen - introducing a smiley Robert Pattinson.
I triple dog dare you not to at the very least smirk...
4 out of 5 stars
It's pretty daring to take Robert Pattinson, the most fanciable young actor of his generation, and cast him alongside actresses of the calibre of Kristin Scott Thomas, Uma Thurman and Christina Ricci. But it's a risk that pays off here as his performance takes this retelling of Guy de Maupassant's tale of sex and ambition to another level. As thrilling as it is sumptuous, the first feature from theatre directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod brings Paris at the turn of the 20th century to vibrant life, as handsome, brutish social climber Georges Duroy (Pattinson) plunders and blunders his way around the women of powerful men. The stunning production design frames Duroy's amorality as it unfolds like a rotten flower, and Pattinson has never looked more irresistible or dangerous. Thurman, especially, is a revelation - literally finding a new quality to her voice as the influential and wealthy Madeleine Forestier. A hauntingly beautiful triumph of content over style, this is Dangerous Liaisons meets Cruel Intentions with extra added credibility.
I went to see Bel Ami on Friday and was completely blown away. The sets and costumes are sumptuous as was the soaring, sweeping musical score. Thankfully there was none of the irritating music that was played at the start of each trailer!Kaz heads into the dark recesses after the cut!
All parts were played well by the supporting cast but the highest accolade has to go to Kristen Scott Thomas. Her depiction of a complete fan girl, overwhelming infatuated by Georges is a sight to behold. Her vulnerability and naivety is mind blowing. Every scene between her and Rob is amazing. Christina Ricci is also brilliant. Playing a fairly light hearted role for once, she plays the coquettish Clotilde with aplomb. You feel an amazing chemistry between her and Georges that could be interpreted as love, if only Georges were truly capable of it. Uma Thurman was also good as Madeleine Forestier. She captured her ambition well enough but her husky voice did grate on me a little, as did her flared nostrils!
Philip Glenister and Colm Meaney were outstanding. No other word for it.
My only criticism would be the lack of political intrigue in the story. Not much of this was explained and seemed a little rushed. As every scene contained Rob, I'm not complaining too loudly as he more than made up for the lack of storyline. To a non Rob supporter though, this might irk a little.
Now to come to Rob.....he was mesmerising. I really cannot believe this was made 2 years ago. He was sullen if he didn't get his own way....smug when he did. The smiles ....god the smiles.... they were Rob smiles when he was truly happy. He was lustful...he was ruthless.....he was enigmatic......he was arrogant.....
All of these emotions portrayed on a face so blindingly beautiful that sometimes no words needed to be spoken to understand how he felt.
There were also light-hearted moments in the film that made the audience laugh out loud. The comedic timing was excellent and even though Georges was a complete bastard, they made you fall in love with him too, despite his true nature.
The contrast between the two styles of Georges from the beginning of the story to the end is SO different. At the beginning you have him scruffy, unshaven with hair flopping on his forehead to a suave, sophisticated young buck in a tuxedo, high waisted trousers and cream bow tie with hair neatly swept back of his face. I must admit, when he was dressed up, Rob made me catch my breath, especially in the close-up shots. Either looking straight ahead with with an arrogant look or that sexy half smile he has perfected.
Best known for his portrayal of brooding teen vampire Edward Cullen in the phenomenally successful Twilight Saga films Robert Pattinson turns serial seducer in his new film Bel Ami. In this adaptation of Guy de Maupassant’s classic tale he charms the likes of Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas. Some chaps have all the luck.
Film3Sixty: Your character in Bel Ami, Georges Duroy, is he an amoral man?
Robert Pattinson: He just doesn’t have a conscience. He’s content to do nothing and thinks everything should just be given to him. But if someone slights him, or directs any insult at him, the most overwhelming energy grabs him and he turns into this absolute devil. It’s like in Giant, when [James Dean] builds the entire empire to say ‘F– you’, he’s exactly like that but without any redeeming characteristics. The whole story is these people trying to beat him down into remorse, and just as he’s about to touch it, something good happens to him again.
You have a lot of attractive women to conquer in the film…
Yeah, there’s Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas. And I sleep with all of them!
It was an enjoyable film to shoot then?
The script is amazing. It’s very funny in a kind of strange way. I had to do four weeks of rehearsals, six days a week, like really full-on, including movement rehearsals, which I’ve never done before. That was kind of exhausting and doing fencing every day as well, which is absolutely impossible!
Did you choose the role because the character is so polarised from Edward Cullen in Twilight?
It’s always the script. I guess there’s something quite fun about Bel Ami, going from Edward to playing some guy who pretty much abuses women to get money out of them. Edward so wouldn’t approve – and I thought that was a funny irony. But the story, independently, is great, so I only thought about the irony afterwards.
How do you deal with fame?
I just try to keep working. I remember ten years ago Leonardo DiCaprio saying he liked to be able to take a break from everything, but I don’t think he can do that anymore. I think you both need to capitalize and steer your career at the same time, especially with a thing like Twilight, where it is literally such a huge thing that has blown up. It’s like a whole system, a whole universe.
Is it a burden to you, or does it open doors?
It opens doors and it closes others like anything does. You can say, oh if I was still unknown, then no one would judge me, but at the same time, nobody would give a shit either. It’s a weird little balance.
Bel Ami is in UK cinemas now.