Yves Saint Laurent (M)
Directed by Jalil Lespert
Fifty years as a leading light in the world of high fashion is a lot to condense into a 110 minute biopic.
Starting in 1957 when 21 year old Yves Saint Laurent took over the Christian Dior fashion house from its recently deceased creator, relatively unknown actor Pierre Niney becomes the handsome, introverted designer.
After showing his genius in his innovative first collection for Dior which included tuxedos for women, he met Pierre Bergé (Guillaume Gallienne) who was to become the love of his life and the lifelong business partner.
The immaculately styled Yves Saint Laurent is surrounded by beauty, from his Paris apartment filled with exotic ornaments to his colourful retreat in Morocco. In the world of beautiful clothes, beautiful women and beautiful men, the insecure shy boy from French Algeria is not far from the glamorous surface.
As the decades pass, we see his struggle with depression and addiction escalate and Pierre Niney transforms into a troubled genius seemingly bent on self-destruction … although still incredibly elegant. At all times, the faithful Bergé is there to pick up the pieces, taking on a larger and larger role in making sure the YSL company thrives.
The production design is luxurious, with the film being shot inside the actual homes in Paris and Marrakech. With Pierre Bergé’s support, Jalil Lespert was also able to use many of the original YSL dresses. Pierre Niney is mesmerising as he channels the legendary fashionista and all his idiosyncrasies, but there are times when the editing is jarring and the viewer feels as if something has been missed.
Evidently there is going to be another biopic by Bertrand Bonello that has been made without Pierre Bergé’s approval. Maybe this film will tread less carefully over the darker sides to our elegant hero and it will be interesting to compare the two homages.
Cinema Paradiso has a red carpet event for the opening night of Yves Saint Laurent on Thursday 26 June. Tickets are available at lunapalace.com.au for you to dress in your best haute couture and sip cocktails from 6pm.
Lezly Herbert
