Yves Saint Laurent Movie Review

I saw this film in a little art theater in the South Village in NYC called Film Forum. I luckily caught it just before it wasn't going to be playing anymore. This film was amazing and really got into the life of Yves Saint Laurent, not just the legend. I could see how they would be tempted to make this into a glamorous story of a "fashion legend". To be completely honest I was quite afraid that the movie would become that. But, they didn't they didn't leave any of the gritty parts of his life out at all. Which made me very happy and pleased with the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQoO9r_CuY (The link to the trailer)

We all the know the story of Yves Saint Laurent. He worked for Dior then took over as creative director when Dior passed. While working there he was enlisted in the war and then taken out because of psychiatric issues. He was then hospitalized, and came out far worse then he went in. Created his own fashion house. Turned to drugs then became better. He kept working until his death in 2008, he died of brain cancer. With history you cut out a lot and when someone becomes a legend you never hear how they acted, or loved. When we talk about someone who accomplished so much and had an amazing talent. That's the only thing you hear about. This move really gave more information than what we get in the museums.

The whole movie felt very intimate, it made you feel like a fly on the wall. Imagine looking through a curtain and seeing something you are not meant to see. That's how the whole movie felt. They showed how he was living for his work. There was one line that really stuck with me "If I can't express myself, I'll die." Is that not what your job should be? That you would die if you couldn't do it. Maybe that's a bit drastic, but it really shows how much he loved his work. Also, how much he loved men and woman. They showed how that got complicated at times. I really related to when he was asked what he was afraid of and he said, "That I'll fail." That is something I am afraid of especially when I saw the movie. But, he said I'll try my best and he stuck to his word.

The performances in the movie were amazing. I felt like I could really imagine these actors as the real people they played. It never felt forced, it felt very authentic. Pierre Niney did an amazing job playing such an iconic character as did all the actors.

Over all I give it a 98%

Love,
Maddie