“Bel Ami” Review by Abus de Cine (France)

“Bel Ami” Review by Abus de Cine (France)

Georges Duroy is an ambitious young man, who wishes to make a name in the Parisian high society and especially to ensure financial security. Through his meetings, he will win the protection of certain women, who will make him climb the ranks of the bourgeoisie at a breakneck speed ..

Willing to do anything to succeed

Maupassant’s work has often been adapted for the television and less for the big screen: the latest filmfrom 1955, directed by Louis Daquin was preceded by that of Albert Lewin (American director) from 1947. This new adaptation is the result of a collaboration between Anglo-Saxon Declan Donnellan, director of British theater and Ormenod Nick, director of English theater company, Cheek by Jowl. It seems France is not interested in its literary capital!

To play George Duroy de Cantel: Robert Pattinson (from the vampire saga “Twilight”). To give the role of Bel Ami is really a gamble but it’s also the assurance of a return to an audience of women who are still under the spell of his vampiric canines. The bet is not yet completely lost, despite his acting rather average. He personifies Duroy with a certain elegance, and his role with aplomb as a seductive manipulator, even if it seems capable of only a single expression , either for those scenes of sadness or contentment …

As for the female casting , Uma Thurman is perfect in the character of Madame Forestier, a lady, erudite and highly influential. It was also fun to see the beautiful and fragile Christina Ricci evolve , who was scarcely seen on the big screen. Finally, it is regrettable that this adaptation of Maupassant seems to forget some aspects of the novel, as the first marriage of George Duroy, or the fact that he is an educated man, not an illiterate as we try to suggest it .. . We can also blame the film for not really giving a “French” focus in this story, because of its cast (half-British, half American) and rare shots of Paris (the film was shot in Budapest). ..

One thing for sure is that Robert Pattinson wanted to break its image of teen-lovesick in the bartering for that of an anti-hero of French literature, selfish, ambitious and opportunistic … But is Bel Ami really a disguting character so that he could really succeed. I doubt it.

Source => Abus de Cine / Translation => LeRPattzClub / Via => Spunk Ransom