serflood

A decent take on the public persona & private life of YSL and Pierre Berge. A really privileged look at their amazing art collection, which during the course of the film is being packed up for auction. The narrative builds around this sale, which nicely shows the complexity and slightly calculating nature of Berge as he leaves behind the trappings of his life with YSL. Sad, but also a bit overwrought and maudlin. If you are interested in fashion or in a rare look at a brilliant and loving partnership, then you must see this. If not, you'll find it dull.

From the opening sequence, I knew I was in for a "Goodfellas"-styled drama with morals built into the plot and characters goin' down in order to learn their lessons. The movie didn't really disappoint in this regard, but I did find the portrayal of the narrator, a "fixer" for dubious businesses, somewhat strangely represented. In other words, this guy (played with staged nonchalance by Luke Wilson) was too good to be true, given the circumstances of his predicament. When the lead character in a drama filled with slime balls comes off smelling like a rose, then you know you're not getting the full story. And that was the main problem with this film: it is an ultra-sanitized, glamorizing reenactment of some truly ugly moments in the underworld of mobsters and drug addicts and porn.

You know, I wanted to LOVE this film, because of political reasons mainly, but more because I completely respect the actors involved (Moore, Benning and Ruffalo). I walked away really liking the subtleties of the plot development and characterizations, but in the end I wanted more resolution to be carved out of the third act. Not that the film doesn't come to a nice rest after the convincing drama ensued by the conflict at hand (won't disclose hence I spoil anything). My main concern was whether I'd been given enough time to understand Benning's character, or had been given enough scenes with her to truly appreciate her. This critique might fall beyond a review, and for that I apologize. I'd recommend it, if for no other reason then it is built to cause discussion about family, marriage and the complexities of these institutions.

This documentary works. It takes a subject that I had little to no interest in and a) piques my interest while b) making me want to know more about this fascinating individual.