I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn’t seeing things, so imagine my surprise when Peter Knegt from IndieWire included Bel Ami in his “must see list”.  And LOL Peter *coughgayporncough* – I bet there were a lot of confused girls out there googling Bel Ami back in 2009:

“Bel Ami (Declan Donnellan, Nick Ormerod, UK)

Not to the be confused with the brand of Eastern European gay porn, “Bel Ami” instead stars Robert Pattinson in another attempt to move beyond his “Twilight” fame. The period film adapted from the book by Guy de Maupassant follows a young man’s rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city’s most powerful women (Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci). Perhaps the most star-studded offering at the fest, it could be (campy?) fun.”

I guess it won’t be long now until we start seeing more industry type reviews *bitesnails*.

According to GQ UK Rob is No. 4 on their list of 50 best dressed men in the UK.  I usually don’t pay much attention to these lists, but when I see Frida Giannini quoted – well I’m not going to argue.  For those who are not familiar – Giannini started off as design director of handbags in 2002, was promoted to Creative Designer of Gucci accessories when Tom Ford left in 2004, then went on to be creative director for ready to wear women’s fashion in 2005 and men’s fashion in 2006 – since then she has been the creative director for the entire Gucci label and also has creative control over the advertising campaigns like the Franco and Danes ones.   I wonder how many times she wishes she could convince Rob to be part of an advertising campaign, although I much prefer Rob to stick to his principles about that.

Scan Source via

I thought you might all be interested to read David’s reaction to the win because not only does he say what we’ve been saying all along “if you’re a Rob fan, then you’ve got to be interested in “Cosmopolis,” because you will see him as you have not seen him before, for sure.“, but he sings praises again for Rob and also gives us a little insight into how the industry works.  I cannot wait to see the promo tour for this film.  Please if there is a  God bring David, Sarah and Rob to Sydney *getsdownonknees*.  Anyway, enough babbling from me, here’s what David had to say to MTV:

“Eric Packer is about to embark upon the worst car ride of his life. Thankfully, Robert Pattinson — the actor who plays Packer in “Cosmopolis” — doesn’t share his character’s fate.

Pattinson fans came out in full force to elect “Cosmopolis” the winner of the MTV Movie Brawl 2012, a weeks-long tournament that pitted several of 2012′s biggest releases against one another to determine which film is the must-see cinematic event of the year. After tense battles against titans like “Bel Ami,” “The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn: Part 2,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Hunger Games,” it’s Pattinson’s upcoming indie thriller that took home the grand prize.

It’s a surprising result for many onlookers, given that “Cosmopolis” has yet to release a trailer and only has a tentative release date of 2012. But Rob’s fans rallied behind their man, opting to support his future in “Cosmopolis” over his past in “Twilight” — a commanding decision from a massive fanbase that demands attention, to say the least. In fact, the movement was so strong that it even caught “Cosmopolis” director David Cronenberg’s eye even before the film won the brawl for it all. Shortly after the victory was announced, Cronenberg got on the phone with MTV News to talk about what “Cosmopolis” winning the MTV Movie Brawl means for the film, Pattinson’s performance, when fans can expect to see a trailer and much more.

MTV: David, thanks for talking with us! Have you been filled in on what’s happened with “Cosmopolis” over here?

David Cronenberg: You know, I’ve been following it! I’m shocked! I’m shocked and amazed and really tickled. It proves that movie fans are unpredictable and really interesting and really passionate. It’s fantastic. I would have never, ever imagined that this would happen.

MTV: How did the tournament first get on your radar?

Cronenberg: Somebody sent me something and said, “Hey, we seem to be doing OK in this Movie Brawl thing that MTV’s got going on.” I didn’t know about it. At that point, we were struggling with “The Dark Knight,” I think. I thought, “Wow, that’s pretty impressive!” Because “Cosmopolis,” while I think in terms of what it is as cinema is pretty hefty, but in terms of budget and promotion, it’s an underdog compared to something like “The Dark Knight” franchise. I really didn’t think we would have much of a chance. That really got my attention.

MTV: What’s kind of incredible, too, is that right before that battle with Batman, “Cosmopolis” was up against “Twilight.” It was Rob versus Rob! In what we saw, it seemed that fans were putting their votes towards Rob’s future instead of his past.

Cronenberg: Well, and I think that’s one of the things that I meant when I said it was interesting. Because that’s not the kind of thing you would predict. But it was really terrific, and in that sense, they’re right. As I’ve said many times, if you’re a “Twilight” fan, then you might not be interested in “Cosmopolis” because Rob is not Mr. Cullen. But if you’re a Rob fan, then you’ve got to be interested in “Cosmopolis,” because you will see him as you have not seen him before, for sure.

For those of you who don’t follow us on Twitter, it’s been a fight to the death for the last week in voting for Cosmopolis to take out MTV’s Movie Brawl.  In fact, I’m finding it hard to type this given the RSI I’m suffering and Vicky can attest to the same!   We beat Breaking Dawn 2, we beat The Dark Knight Rises (easily) and then they thought Rob would lose to The Hunger Games – well one thing’s for sure – they have no idea when it comes to the loyalty we, as Rob’s fans, have.  Maybe now the industry will see that it’s not sparkly Edward that keeps us interested but the actor that is Robert Pattinson!

Here’s what MTV had to say:

“The final buzzer has sounded, the brawl for it all is over, and Robert Pattinson is the last man standing: “Cosmopolis” has won MTV Movie Brawl 2012.

His indie drama made for one hell of a Cinderella story in the vote-driven tournament to pick the must-see movie of the year. Entering the bracket as a #4 seed (following an impressive showing in the play-in round), “Cosmopolis” appeared to be facing an unavoidable Elite Eight ouster. What were the chances Pattinson’s cerebral film about a young finance wiz taking a day-long limo ride though New York City would beat “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2″? Apparently pretty good. Fans banded together, choosing to support RPattz’s post-vampire career rather than the franchise that made him a star. “Breaking Dawn” was sent packing.

And so, after easily fighting off “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Cosmopolis” came to face “The Hunger Games,” a brand-new franchise that had waltzed through the tournament and seemed to be the odds-on favorite to win the whole tourney. But it was not to be. After more than 3 million votes and a slew of lead changes, Pattinson’s film beat back Jennifer Lawrence’s series to become the undisputed champion of the Movie Brawl. (Maria: my emphasis and fist pumps)

Hours before voting closed Monday afternoon (January 23), with “Cosmopolis” staking out an insurmountable lead and the MTV Movies team at the Sundance Film Festival, we broke the news to Pattinson’s co-star, Paul Giamatti, that their film had won the tournament.

“Holy cow, that’s astounding!” he said. “The fact of that is amazing. … That’s a really cool thing that it brings that visibility to that movie.”

A BIG BIG thank you to everyone who helped get this over the line.   Michelle, Vertigo, Lise-Lou, Suze and Jules – huge group hug – hahaha.  Yeah we might have gone over the top a little, but it was fun!

UPDATED: Vid of Paul Giamatti’s reaction when told by Josh *Fangirl* Horowitz

Source via

Both Studio Canal’s website and the Official Bel Ami U.K. Fanpage are now showing March 9 as the U.K. release date for ‘Bel Ami’. It was previously listed as March 2.

Via BelAmiFilm

Philip Glennister, who portrays Charles Forestier in ‘Bel Ami’, gives an amusing mention to Rob’s character, Georges Duroy, in this interview with The Evening Standard…

 

You recently filmed Bel Ami with Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas, what’s your part?

I play a Parisian sub-editor married to Uma Thurman (or ‘The Thermanator’ as she was known on set – she has a very powerful presence and she’s taller than me), then that ugly geezer Robert Pattinson turns up and shags everything that moves. Apart from me, thank goodness.

Read the interview in its entirety at the Source | Via

Jules!!!!!!  OMG I can feel your excitment all the way over here.   According to MovieJuice:

“Glasgow Film Festival 2012 has announced next month’s programme of premieres, special guests and unique events – with its preceding short film and youth festivals meaning that film-lovers can look forward to a packed month of attractions.

The main festival runs from 16th to 26th February in 16 venues across the city. Meanwhile the Glasgow Youth Film Festival takes place from 5th to 15th February, and the Glasgow Short Film Festival takes place over the weekend from the 9th to the 12th. …

Among the many films receiving their first British screening at Glasgow are the eagerly awaited Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy, romantic comedy The Decoy Bride co-starring David Tennant and Kelly Macdonald, acclaimed American independent drama In the Family, period drama Bel Ami starring Robert Pattinson, award-winner Cloudburst with Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker, controversial documentaries Better this World and How to Die in Oregon and animated feature Wrinkles (Arrugas).”

They better not be teasing.

There’s nothing on the GFF site yet, but click here to check out what else is happening.  Note:  well I couldn’t find it, but I haven’t had my morning coffee yet.  Hmm  wonder if Rob’s heading back home for BAFTAS and then Glasgow.  Jules … Jules …. this has got to be the best day ever for you.

Source Via via

Updated:  According to ReelScotland Bel Ami Screenings will be 22 and 23 February 2012.

A glimpse at some new Bel Ami footage and an on-set interview with Rob from MTV Russia. It’s dubbed, but it’s Rob as Georges Duroy in ‘Bel Ami’. It’s all good.
 

Source | Via

Yes you read that right.  According to Anne McElvoy of the London Evening Standard this —–>

“An eminent film critic has just told me he thinks some of the best writing is now on the small screen, not the large one, and he may well be right. For all its Spielbergian glory, War Horse has a baggy, pedestrian script and can’t add much to the National’s production. Still, there are signs of intellectual life in the cinema in 2012: the best-written upcoming movie I’ve seen is the riveting romp of Bel Ami, with Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas in Maupassant’s masterpiece.

Again, it succeeds because the original work is both sexy and clever: a plot turning on multifarious adultery, secret plans to invade Morocco and the power of the 1880s press. And, yes, of course we like to watch Uma in a velvet frock-coat, bewitching the arriviste Robert Pattinson as Georges: but we do have to keep half an eye on the machinations of the proprietors and French intentions in Africa to fully enjoy it.

Like a lot of critics, I’ve done my share of moaning about dumbing down. So credit where it is due: this looks rather like the year of dumbing up. Sex on screen is cheering. Sex and sensibility’s even better.”

Putting my hand up for “dumbing up”.

Via Via

Hmmm “no agenda, but the truth baby” – I’m hoping that doesn’t come back to bite you Ricky D, because although you’ve included Cosmopolis at no. 15 of your 30 Most Anticipated films at SoundonSight you’ve kind of had a dig, I think, at Rob by insinuating he’s not part of the “impressive cast”.  Seeing as I have no agenda but the truth either, I’m going to assume that’s not what you mean, or you will at least be eating humble pie and retracting that comment once you’ve seen the movie.  Otherwise we might have to ponder what the “D” actually stands for … Michelle I think you have a suggestion:

“15- Cosmopolis

While P.T. Anderson may be my favourite American filmmaker working today, David Cronenberg is not only my favourite Canadian filmmaker, but is somewhere on my list of my ten favourite directors of all time. The man has only made one film that I did not like (guess which one) and I’d easily place about five of his films on my top 100. Here Cronenberg adapts a critically revered and best-selling novel and places teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson at the centre, as a newlywed billionaire who ends up losing his bride and his billions in a single day. A bunch of Cronenberg’s favourite themes are explored, including man’s relationship with modern technology, murder and yes, sexual obsession. Apart from Pattinson, the impressive cast includes Sarah Gadon, Kevin Durand, Jay Baruchel, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, and Mathieu Amalric.”

PS.  Ricky – that pic above looks more man than teen heartthrob to me … just sayin