The best part of this disappointing mish-mash of a film is the opening sequence which is footage of Yves St Laurent announcing to the world that he is about to retire. In a highly dramatic speech that he stumbles through in which, amongst other things, he confesses to the demons (drink and drugs) he has battled with all his life, but also without even a hint of modesty, brags about his major impact on women’s lives. It is shamefully emotional but is probably the only raw honest moment in this documentary.
Interviews with Pierre Berge, the late M. St Laurent’s life partner and the major driving force behind their colossal business, were spread generously throughout the film, but as he is such a guarded and intensely private person, he really gave little away of any substance about their life together. And he added no insight at all about M. Laurent that wasn’t already public knowledge. I have to say I admired the genuine affection and respect of which he spoke of M. St Laurent, and it was good to be reminded of his own political activates that included such crucial work for Gay Rights and also for people with Aids.
The archive footage of M. St Laurent was sparse and too highly edited that at best it could only hint at all the genius designer that he was and all the grief and pain his fame caused and troubled him so.
The main focus of the movie is the disposal and Sale of the vast collection of art and treasures that M. St Laurent and Pierre Berge gathered over their 50 years together. Some were major masterpieces, and some were minor, and some were vanity trinkets, and others just excessive and ugly pieces that seemed like the spoils of unchecked taste. The Sale was a major event in the Art World and attracted the highest echelons of international collectors and resulted in some $264 million. Yet somehow as filmmaker Pierre Thornton kept showing M. Berge reacting with unaffected glee every time another piece achieved a record price, I couldn’t help thinking of all those folks on TV’s ‘Antique Road Show’ when they discover what Aunties old vase is really worth!
L’Amour Fou : as a record of the Sale was boring and unnecessary. As a documentary about such a unique and enormous talent, it was a total disappointment.
Much better to watch ‘Yves St Laurent: His Life & Times‘ (available at Netflix) it’s a much superior film.
★★★★★
Labels: 2010, biography, documentary, fashion, French, gay, the arts
